Kiwis with US visas: Living the American dream

Greta Lawson worked for ABC News.

Kiwis welcomed to US via exchange programme visa.

Hundreds of tertiary students and graduates are taking advantage of an exchange programme visa encouraging New Zealanders to get a taste of living the American dream.

Figures released by the United States Embassy show that in the past year, approximately 300 graduates have travelled to various parts of America under the New Zealand and Australia 12-month work and travel programme.

The initiative was introduced in 2007 in a bid to strengthen ties between the US and the two countries - the only nations in the world to have this arrangement with the US. It was also started to give people from this side of the world a chance to see America as a potential place to study or even live.

Embassy spokesman Rob Tate said they were happy to be able to offer a unique experience that had proved hugely popular.

"New Zealanders who have travelled to the States on the work visa have had great success so far," Mr Tate said. "We're looking forward to seeing more applicants as word of the programme continues to spread."

Students have worked all over America and in different sectors. Among those is a woman who works in aviation management in Arizona. Recently she dealt with the US Secret Service as they organised a flight for former president Bill Clinton. Another participant, Greta Lawson, lived in LA and worked for ABC News.

The travel programme runs in accordance with the Exchange Visitor Programme Summer Work Travel regulations.

However, the programme offered to Australians and Kiwis - which is still referred to as a pilot initiative - is unique in that applicants must have just completed their first year at tertiary level or graduated from a tertiary course within the past year. Applicants must also be linked with a designated sponsor, in most cases an exchange organisation approved by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Among the organisations helping Kiwis looking for work overseas is International Exchange Programme NZ, better known as IEP. Figures show that more than 1000 people had travelled to the US under the group and numbers continue to grow.

Programme co-ordinator Natalie Morris said the participant count for this year was looking to exceed 240 people.

"It's allowing young people from New Zealand to live the American dream."

Miss Morris said Kiwis were picked up quickly as many employers saw them as hard-working and easy to get along with.

"The Kiwi work ethic is famous in the US. As long as you're friendly and sociable, they like that. They love our accent and there's always The Lord of the Rings, which people always asked me about."

What is the NZ and Australia 12-month Work and Travel Programme?

Established in 2007, it lets tertiary students and recent graduates travel to the US to live and work for a year. There is no age limit.

How can I apply?

Visit website newzealand.usembassy.gov and search for the 12-month work and travel programme visa. There is paperwork involved and you must have a sponsor to be eligible to travel.

Sponsors: Why do I need one?

Sponsorship is a standard US visa requirement for exchange visitor applicants. There are a range of approved sponsors.