The working holiday visa is probably the most popular visa for under 30s coming here to New Zealand.

This is mainly due to three facts:

1. it's horrendously simple to get for european citizens
2. it costs near to nothing
3. it normally only takes a couple of weeks to approve

So where's the catch? Well, actually there is none. It is a great way to visit New Zealand and get to know the place and people above and beyond the impressions you might get from a mere holiday. The visa lasts normally for one year and if you still have not made up your mind after that , you can have it extended while you're here.

Who's eligible for this great entry ticket to New Zealand? At the time of writing it's most european union countries plus Argentina, Canada, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, USA & Uruguay. a full list can be found on immigration's website. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/

There are a couple of other criteria, like being between 18 and 30 years old when entering the country, have enough funds to support yourself, a return ticket so they can be sure they don't have to pay to get rid of you and meet the basic health and character requirements. You know. no recent bank robberies, serial killings or syphillis please.

There is one more criteria they state on the site. When coming to New Zealand under the working holiday scheme, it should primarily be for a holiday. Work should be secondary. Some of you might go "yeah, whatever", but we'd like to remind you, that New Zealand is a beautiful and fun place and it would be a shame if you'd spend all your time here working hard instead of having a good time.

P.s. Britihs Citizens living in the UK get a special deal and can apply for a two year visa under this scheme.