Key Points
- New VAC in Apia: New Zealand’s new Visa Application Centre in Apia opens on November 4, 2024, and will provide dedicated visa services for Samoan clients.
- Service Fees & RSE Visa Transition: Standard applications incur a fee of WST90, and RSE visa applicants are subject to a transitional period.
- Vietnam Working Holiday Scheme Reopening: New Zealand will increase the number of spots for Vietnamese applicants from 100 to 200, supporting work and travel exchanges.
Overview
The New Zealand government recently announced a significant expansion in visa services by opening a new Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Apia, Samoa, and reopening the Vietnam Working Holiday Scheme. The Apia VAC, set to open on November 4, 2024, will streamline visa application processing for Samoan clients, marking an important transition in New Zealand’s regional visa services. With the INZ Apia office closing on November 1, 2024, the new VAC will provide a convenient location for applicants, offering paper visa lodgment services from Monday through Friday, alongside a service fee of WST90 per application.
To support Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) visa applicants during the transition, the INZ Apia office will continue accepting RSE applications until November 18, 2024. After this date, RSE applicants must submit applications through the VAC, where the service fee will be reduced to WST45 per application for this visa type. This streamlined approach seeks to improve accessibility and efficiency for Samoan clients requiring New Zealand visas, especially as the RSE program remains essential to New Zealand’s seasonal workforce strategy.
In tandem with the new VAC, New Zealand’s government has also reopened the Vietnam Working Holiday Scheme, effective October 24, 2024. This reopening doubles the spots for Vietnamese nationals, increasing the cap from 100 to 200 and offering expanded opportunities for young Vietnamese individuals between 18 and 30 (or up to 35 in select cases) to live and work temporarily in New Zealand. This move underscores New Zealand’s commitment to fostering cultural and professional exchanges with partner countries. The program aligns with ongoing efforts to establish a similar reciprocal arrangement, allowing more New Zealanders to work and travel in Vietnam.
These initiatives reflect New Zealand’s dedication to enhancing visa access and strengthening bilateral relationships with partner nations through work and travel opportunities. They benefit New Zealand’s seasonal workforce needs and young workers seeking international experiences.
Looking Ahead
With the new Visa Application Centre in Apia set to open, Samoan clients seeking New Zealand visas should prepare for the transition by familiarizing themselves with the latest submission processes and associated fees. Employers involved in the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) program should advise employees on updated application procedures, ensuring compliance with the transitional guidelines. Similarly, young Vietnamese nationals interested in the Working Holiday Scheme are encouraged to apply early, given the increased availability of spots. New Zealand’s efforts to enhance access to visa services and expand working holiday programs signal an ongoing commitment to facilitating work and travel exchanges. This may lead to further reciprocal initiatives in the region.
