WK3 Applicants with specialist skills identified...

WK3 Applicants with specialist skills identified as contributing to New Zealand's economic development

1. The New Zealand Government recognises the need for highly skilled people with specialised skills, which could contribute to New Zealand's economic development to be able to qualify for work visas and work permits. From 1 July 2001, national representative organisations of occupations or industries in New Zealand experiencing significant difficulty recruiting highly skilled specialist employees from overseas under normal Work Visa and Permit policy are able to make submissions to the New Zealand Immigration Service requesting special provisions allowing the employment of such specialists.
2. INZ will assess all such submissions, and will consult with the Ministry of Economic Development and other groups as necessary, before referring them to the Minister of Immigration and the Minister for Economic Development for decision.
3. Any special provisions agreed by the Minister of Immigration relating to work visa or permit applicants with specialised skills or occupations will be published in this section of the Operational Manual. INZ will undertake periodic reviews of occupations included in this section to ensure that the justification for any special provisions still exists.

Note: Organisations wishing to make submissions requesting special provisions for the temporary entry of highly skilled specialist employees must address them to:

Manager Operations Support
Service Delivery
Workforce
Department of Labour
PO Box 3705
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND

and must

(i) demonstrate that there is a national shortage of employees in the particular occupation, and
(ii) provide evidence that the occupation is highly skilled, and could contribute to New Zealand's economic development, particularly of a knowledge society, and
(iii) give clear reasons why a special provision is requested for that occupation.

Effective 28/07/2008