Information for citizens of New Zealand who want to participate in the Working Holiday Scheme ("WHS") established by the Agreement on a Working Holiday Scheme between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of New Zealand, signed in Prague on 11 October 2004 ("Agreement")

General conditions for eligibility

To be eligible for a long-term visa under the WHS, you must

• be a citizen of New Zealand permanently resident in New Zealand;
• intend to holiday in the Czech Republic, with employment being an incidental rather than a primary reason for the visit,
• be aged between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years, both inclusive, at the time of application;
• not bring your children with you to the Czech Republic;
• possess a valid New Zealand passport.

How to apply for a visa

The visa processing office competent to receive applications for long-term WHS visas (see Article 5 of the Agreement) is the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Sydney.

Consulate General of the Czech Republic
169 Military Road
Dover Heights
NSW 2030
Australia

Web: www.mzv.cz/sydney
E-mail: sydney@embassy.mzv.cz

Tel.+61 2 9581 0111
Fax: +61 2 9371 9635

The application can be made in person or by post. The consulate may ask you to attend for an interview.

Visa applications can be also lodged with the Czech Republic Embassies in:

• Berlin (Germany)
• Paris (France)
• London (Great Britain)

For contact details, please visit www.mzv.cz .

Your application must include:

• valid New Zealand passport
• visa application (can be downloaded here). Please note that question 29 (Purpose of travel) in the visa application form should be answered by writing "Working Holiday" in the box "Other (please specify)".
• a return ticket (i.e. an air ticket for your journey from the Czech Republic) or a proof that you have sufficient funds to buy an air ticket back to New Zealand (CZK 40,000 or an equivalent sum in other currency in the form of current bank statement, letter from financial institution and a proof that you will be able to withdraw these funds while in the Czech republic (for example copy of internationally recognized credit/debit card). ),
• a proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the Czech Republic (at least CZK 70,000 or an equivalent sum in other currency in the form of current bank statement, letter from financial institution and a proof that you will be able to withdraw these funds while in the Czech republic (for example copy of internationally recognized credit/debit card).,
• a signed statement that you have never been sentenced for a crime in New Zealand - can be downloaded here,
• two photographs
• a proof that you hold a travel health insurance valid for the duration of your stay in the Czech Republic. The insurance should cover medical costs in the case of injury or sudden illness in the Czech Republic, including the costs of medical evacuation or transport of remains.
• visa fee of CZK 2,500 (according to the current exchange rate the fee is between 160 to 180 AUD - contact us for exact amount) is payable to the Consulate General in Sydney. This amount can be paid in cash, money order or banque cheque. All these means of payment can be made in Australian dollars only.

Please include your contact details (mobile, email etc.) as well as details on how your passport should be returned to you. Preferably, organize courier pick up by any courier company (DHL, FedEx etc.) or enclose cash or bank cheque for International Registered Post (fees may be found at www.auspost.com.au). The consulate cannot be held responsible for loss of documents sent by ordinary post.

The visa is valid for 12 months. It cannot be prolonged and you are not eligible to receive it more than once.

Along with the visa you will receive a summary of the rules governing your stay in the Czech Republic. You may find this information helpful when dealing with your Czech employers.

In case your application reaches the consulate after the annual quota has been exhausted, the consulate will inform you about the fact and offer to include you in the following year´s batch.

Living and working in the Czech Republic

During your stay in the Czech Republic on the basis of a WHS visa

• You must not be employed without a work permit for more than one year. You must not take up permanent employment and must not work for the same employer for more than three months during your visit. There are no additional conditions. Your employer is required by Czech law to inform the local Employment Centre ("Úřad práce") that you have taken up employment.
• You may enrol in one training or study course of up to three months duration.

Text of the Agreement on a Working Holiday Scheme between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of New Zealand can be found here.