New Zealand and Norway have agreed on a Working Holiday Scheme enabling young people to work and holiday in each other's countries.
15/07/2008 ::
The Agreement:
The Government of Norway shall, on application by a New Zealand citizen, grant a Working Holiday permit to any person who satisfies each of the following requirements:
- is a citizen of New Zealand;
- satisfies the visa officer that his/her primary intention is to holiday in Norway, with employment being an incidental rather than a primary reason for the visit;
- is at least eighteen years of age but less than thirty-one years of age, at the time of application;
- is not accompanied by children;
- possesses a valid New Zealand passport;
- possesses a return ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket;
- possesses sufficient funds for his/her maintenance during the period of stay in Norway;
- pays the prescribed work permit application fee; and
- agrees to hold medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance for the duration of his/her stay in Norway.
The Working Holiday Permit is valid for twelve months from the date of registration with the Norwegian Police Authorities in accordance with Article 6.2 of this Agreement. Such registration must take place within seven days of arrival in Norway, and within six months of the Permit being granted.
Employment is restricted to a maximum of 6 months with each individual employer.
The Government of Norway shall require any citizen from New Zealand who has entered Norway through the Scheme operating under this Agreement to comply with the laws and regulations of Norway and not to engage in employment that is contrary to the purpose of the Scheme. They may enrol in one training or study course of up to three months duration during the course of their visit to Norway.
Unless otherwise agreed, participants in the Scheme shall report to the Police Office in Oslo (Utlendingsseksjonen) within seven days after their entry into Norway, to register the Permit.
An applicant may break the Working Holiday and depart Norway temporarily within the 12 months from the date of initial entry. However, if he or she departs Norway during this period, the time spent outside Norway cannot be recovered.
Applicants may apply simultaneously for Working Holiday Visas in other countries.
Processing time:
A minimum period of up to 6 weeks should be allowed for processing from the time of lodgement of the application.
Application process:
Applications may be lodged with any Norwegian Consulate office in New Zealand (Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch), the Norwegian Embassy in Canberra, or any Norwegian Embassy in a country where the applicant has held a valid residence permit for a minumum of 6 months prior to application. It is important that correct documentation is included in order to avoid delays in processing.
Applications for the Working Holiday Permit cannot be made from within Norway.
Please note that you will not be permitted to enter Norway until your Permit has been granted.
For application form please click here.
The following application documentation must be provided:
- Application for a first-time residence permit or work permit.
- One passport photograph.
- Certified copy of New Zealand passport.
- Supporting financial documentation.
- A personally written and signed statement agreeing to take out medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance for the duration of the stay in Norway.
- Application fee, see /visas/visas/New+fee+schedule.htm
Please note: All photocopied documentation must be certified by a qualified authority as a true copy of the original document.
Financial Documentation:
Evidence must be provided showing that the applicant has available funds of no less than NZ$7,500 in his or her own name. This amount is intended to include approx. NZ$2,000 airfare and $5,500 for initial subsistence in Norway. If the airfare has been paid for at the time of application, a bank statement showing a minimum of $5,500 together with a certified copy of the paid-for airline ticket will be accepted.
Bank statements must be either originals or certified copies of originals. Over-the-counter statements of balance can also be accepted if they bear a bank stamp, date and signature. Internet statements and ATM balance statements cannot be accepted unless they bear the applicant's name and have been certified correct by the relevant bank.
Please note that this Permit does not allow for guarantees of accommodation or financial support from other people as a part of the financial requirement of the application. Applicants must show that they have sufficient personal funds to cover their initial stay in Norway.
Application Form Information:
Please complete all applicable questions.
Notes:
Q.10 It is not necessary to provide fingerprints.
Q.13D Write “Working Holiday Scheme” here.
Q.14 Please provide anticipated date if arrival in Norway .
Q. 15 If Oslo is not your first destination, please state the location of your initial stay in Norway (closest convenient police station) so that information on your Visa details can be forwarded to the appropriate police district. The actual visa must be stamped into the applicants passport by the local police within a week of arrival in Norway.
Please note: If an applicant is unable to enter Norway within the required six month period after the permit has been approved he or she must contact the Embassy in Canberra to cancel the original Visa in good time before the given final date of entry, otherwise it will not be possible to reapply for the Permit at a later time.
Option of Renewal of Working Holiday Visa:
The opportunity exists for holders of this Visa to apply for a 12 month renewal, which should be lodged before the original Visa expires. The Working Holiday Visa allows for a maximum period of consecutive 2 years, however extentions can only be approved by the Directorate of Immigration in Norway and conditions will apply.