2016-Jan 22: Student and Trainee Work Visas for Religious Trainees

Visa Pak 243: Guidelines for Immigration Officers in regards to Student and Trainee Work Visas for those who Religious trainees

Visa Paks

22 January 2016

Student and Trainee Work Visas for Religious Trainees

This advice replaces previous advice given relating to applications received for students and interns applying to study at Calvary Chapel Bible Institute (CCBI). That article advised officers to assess these applications under Religious Worker instructions (WM) as those were the most appropriate instructions at the time.

In July 2015 Student and Trainee Work Visa instructions were amended to include religious trainees who wish to undertake a formal religious training programme in New Zealand (WE1.d). Applications for clients who wish to undertake a formal religious training program in New Zealand (including CCBI) should be assessed under WE1.d Student and trainee work instructions.

WE1 Who is eligible for a student and trainee work visa

The following people may be granted a work visa under student and trainee work instructions:
Religious trainees who wish to undertake a formal religious training programme in New Zealand, if an immigration officer is satisfied that they:

  • have a written confirmation of a place and are sponsored by a religious  organisation that meets the requirements set out at WE1.1
  • meet temporary entry health and character requirements (A4 and A5); and
  • are not an ‘officer’ or ‘nominated person’ of the religious training institution that is sponsoring them.

Clients applying under this category will need to provide the following documents with their application:

  • Completed work visa application.
  • Completed sponsorship form INZ 1190 (completed by CCBI).
  • Copy of the CCBI charities commission registration certificate.
  • Evidence of financial ability to support the applicant.
  • A letter from CCBI which includes a detailed breakdown of the applicants training and experience.
     

As the clients are not applying under religious worker instructions (WM) they are not required to provide:

  • An employment agreement or description or religious work being undertaken, indicating that the work is primarily religious work.
  • Evidence that the religious worker has had 2 years training and/or work experience.

Action
Please discuss with your team(s) and ensure that applications for religious trainees are assessed under instructions WE1.d.