The UK has agreed to extend the Youth Mobility Scheme for New Zealand nationals with reciprocal arrangements for UK nationals wanting to travel to New Zealand.

The Youth Mobility Scheme enables individuals aged 18 to 30 from certain countries (including New Zealand nationals) to live and work in the UK for a maximum period of two years. The extension of the scheme for New Zealand nationals will mean that they will be able to stay for a period of three years.  It will also extend the scheme to allow individuals aged 18 to 35 years old to apply.

However, these more generous provisions are not yet in force and may take some time to implement. The extension arrangements mirror those agreed for Australian nationals last year which are still not operational. Once they are in force however, it may assist some UK employers suffering from skills shortages and recruitment issues.