PM in UK: Holiday visa scheme set for upgrade

An extension to the popular youth working holiday scheme between New Zealand and the United Kingdom was announced as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met Boris Johnson in London last night.

Ardern met the British Prime Minister at Downing St overnight New Zealand time in the first bilateral meeting between the two in either country. The pair also met at the Nato Summit in Madrid a few days ago.

Ahead of their meeting in the UK, Johnson, a keen proponent of wider free travel around the Commonwealth, announced planned agreements included an extension to the Youth Mobility Scheme and a new science and innovation partnership.

The current scheme allows Kiwis and British people aged under 30 to work in the other country for up to two years.

Johnson said the extension would raise the age limit and increase the length of visas, attracting and allowing “highly skilled and ambitious young people to move between the two countries easily, sharing skills and innovative ideas between the two countries”. Further details are expected today.

The two leaders were also expected to discuss geo-political challenges, such as security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific and the situation in Ukraine, and agree new measures to tighten the UK-New Zealand alliance.

The United Kingdom counted New Zealand among its closest friends, Johnson said.

“We share a worldview, standing up for democracy and free trade around the world, which is fortified by deep bonds of language and culture.”

The meeting also follows the agreement of the UK-New Zealand free trade deal in February.

“Our trade deal is slashing red tape, cutting tariffs and opening exciting new opportunities for British businesses and entrepreneurs to travel and trade,” Johnson said in a statement.