New Zealand Working Holiday Visa for Turkish citizens

This scheme is only for citizens of the Republic of Türkiye. Other nationalities can use a working holiday visa only if their country has its own scheme with New Zealand; INZ lists those countries, normally for ages 18 to 30 (18 to 35 for a few) and generally for up to 12 months. For the Turkey scheme you must be 18 to 30, with a Turkish passport valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires. You cannot apply if New Zealand has ever granted you a working holiday visa, even an unused one; working holidays in other countries do not matter. You must be healthy, of good character and have a genuine reason to visit.

Education: you need a tertiary qualification that involved at least 4 years of full-time study, so a 2-year associate degree is not enough. English: provide an acceptable English test no more than 2 years old, or a tertiary qualification from an institution where all teaching was in English. If you studied at a Turkish university, INZ asks for proof that tuition was in English; it lists universities such as Bilkent, ODTÜ, Boğaziçi, Koç, Sabancı, Özyeğin, Yeditepe and İzmir Yüksek Teknoloji Enstitüsü as teaching in English.

You need at least NZD 7,000 for living expenses, shown with bank or credit card statements. You must also hold full medical insurance for the whole stay, including hospital cover, and may be asked for a ticket out of New Zealand or proof of extra money to buy one, on top of the NZD 7,000.

There are 100 places each year. When you apply online you give your passport details; after lodging, INZ may ask for a medical examination or chest X-ray, police certificates, a copy of your qualification, your English result, proof of NZD 7,000, insurance and a departure ticket. Keep these ready so you can respond quickly. 80% of applications were decided within 2 weeks.

You do not need a job offer. You may take temporary jobs for up to 12 months but not a permanent position, work for any one employer for up to 3 months, and study or train for up to 6 months in total. INZ has clarified the work allowed on open visas like this one.

If you work in certain industries named by INZ, you may be able to stay longer through the Working Holiday Extension Work Visa. Otherwise the visa ends after 12 months.