Jacinda Ardern, Boris Johnson announce new work and travel visa scheme

On Friday (local time), UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson invited Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to the infamous party place of 10 Downing Street, where she agreed to changes for Kiwis wanting to work in the UK.

New Zealanders will now be able to apply for a working visa in the United Kingdom up until the age of 35 and it will last for three years as opposed to the usual two.

Whilst speaking with Johnson, Ardern put her focus on Ukraine, the UK free trade deal and using her passport.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity to meet here, this is the first trip back into Europe since COVID-19," Ardern told Johnson.

Ardern wasn't the only one making a grand return to Europe post-COVID.

The great Kiwi OE is back and it's about to get supercharged. Kiwis up to 35 years old will be able to apply and they will be able to stay for three years.

"It's reciprocal so of course, New Zealand benefits from having the exchange of skills with Brits being able to come to New Zealand," Ardern told Newshub.

Whilst it seems like people could jet off tomorrow on their OE, don't go quitting your job just yet as it might not be until 2024 when the changes are made.

"We will look to create as much urgency around implementation as we can," Ardern told Newshub.

Ardern's visit to the UK has been a whirlwind tour of 'New Zealand is open for business' engagements - from a morning talk show appearance to Downing Street to making a special address at Chatham House.

"This visit represents much for me. The reopening of borders and resumption of travel after a difficult few years for Aotearoa New Zealand but also the world," Ardern said at Chatham House.