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In light of overwhelming response, the annual quota for the Hong Kong/New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme will increase from 200 to 400 with effect from April 1, 2010.
New Zealand is the first country to set up the working holiday scheme with Hong Kong and the agreement was established on April 1, 2001.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, warmly welcomed the expansion of the annual quota.
"We are encouraged by the positive response to the working holiday scheme in general and will seek to establish similar arrangements with more countries to provide an opportunity for our young people to broaden their horizons and gain first-hand living and working experience overseas while travelling," he said.
Apart from New Zealand, Hong Kong established bilateral working holiday schemes with Australia in 2001, Ireland in 2005, Germany in 2009, and Japan and Canada in 2010.
Under the schemes, successful applicants will be permitted to stay in participating places for up to 12 months for holidaying and to take up short-term employment during their visits.
So far, about 1,000 Hong Kong youngsters have joined the scheme to visit New Zealand, while some 300 young people from New Zealand have through the scheme experienced Hong Kong's vibrant way of life.
Details on application procedures for Hong Kong applicants is available on the website of Immigration New Zealand at www.immigration.govt.nz/whswork . New Zealand applicants may contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department by telephone at 2824 6111 or download the necessary information from the department's website at www.immd.gov.hk .
Ends/Monday, March 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:55
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