How to Extend a Working Holiday Visa for UK Citizens

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The Conditions for Extending Your Working Holiday Visa

A UK citizen can extend their 12-month visa to 23 months, while they are in New Zealand (even if they are no longer under 35 years old).

In this case, applications must be manually filled out and sent to an Immigration NZ branch with the relevant medical certificates. There are a few conditions of the 23-month working holiday visa:

• You must have NZ$350 per month of funds available for maintenance for the remaining period of your stay in New Zealand
• You must complete a General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) and Chest X-Ray Certificate (INZ 1096)
• Even on a 23-month visa, you cannot work more than 12 months in total
• You cannot take up permanent employment (this requires a work visa, which you can still apply for in NZ)
• You can enrol in courses/training/study for no more than 6 months
• Your 12-month working holiday visa must still be valid when applying for the extension
• You must pay tax when working – see A Guide to the New Zealand Work Tax System.

Note: A UK citizen can apply for a 23-month working holiday visa before they enter New Zealand. This application must be filled out online using the Immigration NZ website. For more information on applying for a working holiday visa online, visit: How to Get a Working Holiday Visa.

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How to Complete the Working Holiday Extension (INZ 1223) Form

First of all, you need to print out the Working Holiday Scheme Second Work Visa Application (INZ 1223) form.

What you will need for this application:

• Your passport or certified copy of your passport
• 2 passport photos taken in the last six months – the size must be 4.5 cm high and 3.5 cm wide. You can get these taken in a pharmacy
• Credit/debit card details – either MasterCard or Visa.
• The General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) and Chest X-Ray Certificate (INZ 1096) or a note from the medical centre outlining that the evidence has been sent online
• Evidence of an up-to-date bank statement showing you have sufficient funds for your stay in the country – this is NZ$350 per month that you plan to stay
• A pen!

The details requested on the form are much like what you filled out for your 12-month Working Holiday Visa. It will ask for:

• Personal details – full name, passport details
• Contact details – home country address, contact in NZ, address for correspondence on this application should be your current NZ address
• Travel plans – date of arrival in NZ, approx date of departure, arrangements you have made for departure (if you have not booked a flight, explain the arrangements that you are planning to make).
• Your character – same as 12-month visa questions about criminal and immigration convictions
• Your health – asking do you have TB, are pregnant, have serious health conditions and details of the medical certificates you have provided
• Then, sign and date.

The next part is for your Immigration Advisor to fill out if you have used one. If you have used an Immigration Advisor, they must be licensed or the application will be returned back to you.

Last of all, the application asks you for your payment details. The cost of the application is NZ$455 (price is subject to change – see the latest fee on the Immigration NZ Fee Finder – search “Working Holiday Extension Work Visa”). Remember to tick the relevant box as to which address you want your documents to be returned.

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How to Get the Medical Certificates for Your Working Holiday Visa Extension

The two documents you need to hand in with your application are:

• General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007)
• Chest X-Ray Certificate (INZ 1096)

Note that these forms are usually sent by the medical centre electronically to Immigration New Zealand.

You can get these by attending an immigration medical at a medical centre in New Zealand. Approved physicians are listed on the Immigration NZ website. Rates can range from NZ$240 to NZ$500.

Remember to take your passport and your credit card to the medical centre. The immigration examination includes a chest X-ray, checkup on eyesight, blood pressure, family’s health, urine sample, blood sample, and examination checking for lumps and reflexes. All in all, nothing to be worried about.

Ladies, avoid doing the medical examination during your period, as this can mess up the results of your urine sample, for example. Many medical centres will still charge you to do the test again.

Once your examination is done you will either receive the certificates or they will be sent to Immigration NZ. In the latter case, you will receive an email once the results have been sent.

You must provide certificates within 15 days of applying!

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Where to Send Your Working Holiday Extension Application Form

On the Immigration NZ website, there is an office finder to find the address of your nearest Immigration NZ office to send the application by post.

Although not a requirement, we strongly recommend tracking your parcel. It’s worth paying the extra couple of dollars to know that your important documents have arrived safely! Learn more about mailing in New Zealand in our guide to Sending Mail Within New Zealand.

Then congratulations! You have just applied to extend your visa. We don’t blame you.