Monday, 7 November 2011

New immigration instructions for religious workers have been introduced from 7 November 2011.

Who can be granted a Religious Worker visa?

Religious Worker visas can be granted for temporary entry (work) and residence in New Zealand, subject to the religious worker and a sponsoring religious organisation meeting specific conditions.

What are the conditions applicants need to meet to be granted a work visa under Religious Worker instructions?

The applicant must:

• be sponsored by a religious organisation that is registered as a charity with the Charities Commission, with a primary purpose of advancing religion,
• be sponsored to undertake religious work,
• have training and/or experience relevant to the religious work they are being sponsored for, of at least two years, and
• be of good health and character.

How long will a work visa for religious work be granted for?

Up to two years.

Can I get a Religious Worker work visa for longer than two years?

A first Religious Worker work visa can only be granted for up to two years.  However, a further Religious Worker work visa may be granted, if supported by a new application and information that demonstrates a genuine need for the worker to remain with the sponsoring organisation for up to a further two years.

 

To be eligible for a further work visa applicants must continue to work with the same sponsoring organisation for consecutive periods.

How is religious work defined?

Religious work must be one of the following:

• teaching or guidance in religious scripture or philosophy,
• leading religious practice, worship or prayer,
• conducting religious initiations, ordination or ritual,
• ministering or pastoral care, or
• roles of religious leadership in relation to any of the above.

Is religious study considered to be religious work?

No.

Are support roles, such as cleaning or administration for religious organisations considered to be religious work?

No.  Religious workers may be able to undertake some support work for a religious organisation, if this is a requirement of their faith, but their substantive role must meet the definition of religious work above.

How do potential sponsoring organisations register as a charitable organisation?

If religious organisations are not registered as a charitable organisation they can register with the Charities Commission.  The requirements for registration can be found at on the Charities Commission website.

Can my partner join me in New Zealand?

Partners of Religious Worker work visa holders will be eligible for an open work visa and can apply using a Work Visa Application (INZ 1015) PDF [371KB].

Can my dependent child or children join me in New Zealand?

Dependent children can be granted a student or visitor visa if:

• the combined income of their parents meets the minimum income threshold (the current minimum income threshold is NZ$33,675), or
• the religious organisation sponsoring the religious worker also agrees to sponsor the dependent child or children for the duration of the religious worker’s visa.

In order to meet sponsorship requirements, the religious organisation must include the dependent child or children in the Sponsorship Form for Religious Workers (INZ 1190) PDF [234KB] they complete for the religious worker.

Who is eligible for a Religious Worker resident visa?

Religious workers may be eligible for a resident visa if:

• they have spent at least three years in New Zealand under a Religious Worker work visa,
• a charitable religious organisation agrees to sponsor the religious worker’s residence for five years after the grant of their resident visa,
• the religious worker has a genuine offer of work from the sponsoring organisation that is:
  • for religious work that continues to serve the organisation’s religious objectives,
  • ongoing,
  • in New Zealand, 
• the applicant is 55 years or under at the time they apply for residence,
• the applicant meets the minimum English language requirement (IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Level 5), 
• the sponsoring organisation provides information to demonstrate the sponsoring organisation’s long-term need for a religious worker, and 
• the applicant is still of good health and character.

Can I apply for residence if I hold a work visa under previous religious-based immigration instructions?

Yes.  People who hold work visas granted before 5 November 2011 under Ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders work instructions, or under Specific purpose or event work instructions for pastors and lay missionaries may apply for residence under the new Religious Worker residence instructions.

Earlier information

For frequently answered questions following the earlier announcement of the new Religious Worker immigration instructions go to the new residence pathway for religious workers page.