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Applying for a Working Holiday Visa - New Zealand
Thursday 30 March 2017
I chose to apply for my working holiday visa with STA travel. With something so important, I didn't want to go solo just incase I got stuck along the way.
I had been putting off my application for a while, as once it is granted, you only have 12 months to enter the country. My goal is to head abroad next February, but I have been allowing myself time incase of any delays. Like a car failing its MOT and costing a fortune to fix...oh wait that actually did happen...
I couldn't wait any longer though, I needed to know if my application was to be accepted, so I brought my STA appointment forward and headed to Exeter to get started.
The appointment was not the full application process. At this time they ask you a few simple questions - Did I have any criminal convictions? no. Had I ever been deported from a country? no. Was I in the correct age bracket? yes. They also took a payment of £175 + a cheeky credit card fee of 2% - but hey, air miles!
Straight away, I received an email from STA with a link. This link asked me some further questions. This time more personal questions, such as passport number and health check.
The health check was the part I had been concerned about. Due to a small chest condition I have, I wasn't sure if they would require extra evidence to prove I was well enough to enter the country. This would have likely come with an extra cost, as doctors seem to charge ridiculous amounts of money just to sign a bit of paper these days.
Thankfully, the only health questions asked - Did I have cancer/heart disease/mental disorder/pregnancy? Or did I have any condition that would hospitalise me - which was a no. I just cough more than the normal person. Although saying that, my doctor is an angel compared to some. Some of the stories I heard from other people in America about their medical forms were crazy! Mine only charged me £20!
Once I had submitted these questions, I was greeted with a message saying I would find out the outcome within the next 4 weeks....
In my case it was 4 days!
I received an email and a text telling me my visa had been granted. AMAZING.
The email explains that I am now on the system so when I get to the airport, they will know I have a visa. I will not require any paper or passport inserts like I did when I went to America.
Whilst visiting STA I asked about the Australian Visa. I only intend on visiting Oz as a tourist at the moment. I was told that this was a simple application form on line and was free to apply for. So I will apply for that when I have decided on my departure date.
So now all thats left to do is to crack on with my planning!
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