By MONIQUE DEVEREUX
Young New Zealanders are now able to spend a year working in Germany under an exchange confirmed between the countries yesterday.
Germany is the 10th country to enter a working holiday agreement with New Zealand, joining Britain, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, France, Ireland, Japan and the Netherlands.
The agreement is
the first since the Government last month doubled the number of people allowed into New Zealand on working holiday visas.
Announcing the new scheme, Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said the agreement could help attract high-quality immigrants from Germany.
"A working holiday scheme can assist to attract immigrants with business and general skills, as some working holidaymakers will choose to settle here at the end of their stay, or may return later."
Last week, she said she was planning a revamp of immigration rules to make it easier for more foreign doctors, nurses and IT specialists to come to New Zealand.
Only 200 visas will be granted for Germans wanting to come here under the working holiday agreement, but there is no limit to the number of New Zealanders Germany will take.
Peter Silberberg, of the German Embassy, said many specifics of the German visas had yet to be decided.
But to be eligible New Zealanders must not have any dependants, and must have health insurance. They also need a return air ticket or be able to prove they have the money to buy one.
Applicants must have "adequate" money for the initial part of their working holiday, although exactly how much is not yet clear.
The visas are open to people aged between 18 and 25, although in some circumstances exceptions will be made for people up to the age of 30.
Mr Silberberg said that the main aim of the working visa was to allow New Zealanders to supplement their holiday in Germany, although he did not yet know if restrictions would be put on the amount of time within the year that could be spent in employment.
Under the British visa scheme, New Zealanders are entitled to live in England, Scotland or Wales for two years but can be employed for only 12 months.
Working in Germany is unlikely to have the same financial appeal for New Zealanders specifically wanting to save money to pay for further travel.
One German mark is worth roughly the same as a kiwi dollar. A British pound converts to more than $3.50.
