Visas rise to 300; age eligibility 18-30 years and validity to 12 months
Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 19, 2022
Singaporeans will be able to enjoy a revised Working Holiday Scheme with greater flexibility and relaxed regulations from May 5, 2022.
Prime Jacinda Ardern, who is currently in Singapore, told a media briefing at the Park Royal Hotel that the Working Holiday Scheme will allow up to 300 Singaporeans a year (currently 200) and work for 12 months (increased from six months). The eligibility age has also been broadened to include people between 18 and 30 years of age.
Relaxed regulations
According to the new Agreement, applicants need not be university students but should have undertaken tertiary study during the previous two years of application.
Ms Ardern said that the government is looking forward to welcoming back Singaporeans to New Zealand on Working Holiday Scheme.
“Those arriving on Working Holiday are also tourists and tend to visit multiple regions, which will be beneficial for the tourism sector, hospitality, retail and local economies throughout New Zealand. Unlike many other similar schemes, the Working Holiday Plan with Singapore has been in force since 1999 and the revised Scheme comes into force just as New Zealand reopens its borders after Covid,” she said.
Ms Ardern and her officials are scheduled to meet with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today and discuss bilateral relations and the scope for further strengthening of ties. The two countries already have a High-Grade Closer Economic Cooperation Agreement which provides for eased regulations in many areas.
Important Trade Partner
Singapore is an important trading partner, accounting for about 20% of New Zealand’s exports.
As well as exploring possibilities of expanding trade, Ms Ardern is expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and its impact on the region.
Mr Lee is also likely to brief Ms Ardern on his recent talks with US President Joe Biden, in the light of the renewed interest of the United States to further economic ties in Asia.
“Singapore, New Zealand and Japan will benefit from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP),” she said.
About the CPTPP
CPTPP is a Free Trade Agreement with the membership of eleven countries in the Asia-Pacific region including New Zealand, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
“CPTPP sets a very high standard for trade, which we hope to pursue with other countries and invite them to join the pact. Our relationship between New Zealand and Singapore has not been on hiatus during the Covid-19 border closures. We have worked together on ensuring the flow of medical products to New Zealand and food products to Singapore. We have worked to ensure that critical goods and services are made available to people,” she said.
Ms Ardern is accompanied by Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor, business and media delegations, apart from other officials.
They are due to leave for Japan tomorrow.
Ms Ardern said that she has returned a negative PCR test. However, three members of the delegation, having received weak results, will be returning to New Zealand since New Zealand has very tough rules around Covid.
