How to Extend a Working Holiday Visa for Canadian Backpackers

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The Conditions on Extending Your Working Holiday Visa

A Canadian citizen can extend their 12-month visa to 23 months, while they are in New Zealand.

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

• 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 New Zealand Work Tax System: Work and Pay Your Taxes.

Note: A Canadian 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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Complete the INZ 1223 Form

First of all, you need to print out the Working Holiday Scheme Second Work Visa Application (INZ 1223) form from this website or pick it up from an Immigration NZ branch.

What you will need for this application:

• 2 passport photos taken in the last 6 months. The size must be 4.5cm high and 3.5cm wide. You can get these taken in a pharmacy usually costing around NZ$20 for 8 photos.
• Your passport.
• Some form of payment. Either bank cheque, personal cheque, credit card (Mastercard or Visa), or UK SWITCH card. Or you can pay in person with EFTPOS at an Immigration NZ branch.
• 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 $350 per month that you plan to stay. Plus, evidence of a return travel ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a travel ticket.
• 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, pregnant, 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, it asks you for your payment details. The cost of the application is NZ$420 (price is subject to change). Remember to tick the relevant box as to whether you’ll pick up your documents from the office or get them delivered by secure post.

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Medical Certificates

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 NZ. Rates can range from NZ$240 – 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.

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 to Immigration NZ.

You must provide certificates within 15 days of applying!

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Send it Away!

On the Immigration NZ website, there is an office finder to find the address of your nearest Immigration office to either send the application by post or hand it in in-person.

Learn more about the costs of sending mail in New Zealand here.

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