3 months work limitation on WHV?

[Becksly]

Does anybody know if the three month work limitation on a Working Holiday Visa (in one job) is a rule or just a guideline? I've been on a WHV six months and have only just heard of it. I've already been in my job 4 months and want to stay longer! Will anyone check up on this?

[kiaora!!]

Hi there!

depending which country you are from, my one says: you are not allowed to take on permanent employment.
it doesnt say anything about the three months tho.
but i called inz last week and they said i m not allowed to work with any one employer for more than 3months.
i m not sure if they check up on it, i guess if you are paying your taxes then it s really easy for them to see that you are with the same employer for a long time and all they government offices do work together so be very very careful
if they find out you ll get kicked out of the country and not be allowed back in for 3 or something years, so i guess it s not worth the risk.
i think what you can do is, leave your job for a month or so, get a different job, and then go back.. far as i know if you have a break in between it s not considered permanent employment and therefore not a problem ..

hope this helps

[LilAmy]

The rules on a WHV must have changed as we were on one 18 months ago and we were allowed to be employed for no more than 12months out of our 23month WHV.

I called the Immi when we first arrived and asked how I know when our 12month limitation is up and she said it's up to us to remember how long we've been working for not them so I dont think they're too strick on checking up on you by the sounds of things but be careful as you just never know.

[loopylu]

Ahhhh... I didn't know about that rule either. I knew that I could only work up to 50% of my time in NZ (ie 6m of my 12m visa) but had no idea that I was restricted to only 3 months in a job...