WI9 China Special Work Policy

1. This policy allows limited numbers of citizens of the People's Republic of China who are qualified in certain occupations, and who hold a New Zealand job offer in that occupation, to be issued with a work visa.
2. To be considered under this policy the applicant must be one of the following:
   1. a Chinese chef who has a Chinese Occupational Skills Testing Authority Certificate Level 3 in traditional cuisine; or
   2. a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner (including a TCM nurse) who has a higher education degree requiring at least three years' successful study in Traditional Chinese Medicine from an institution recognised by the Chinese government; or
   3. a Mandarin teachers' aide who has a higher education degree requiring at least three years' successful study; or
   4. a Wushu Martial Arts coach with Wushu Grade 3-5 Certificate and a post-compulsory education qualification in either physical education or teaching requiring at least two years' successful study from an institution recognised by the Chinese government; or
   5. a Wushu Martial Arts coach with Wushu Grade 6-9 Certificate and five years' teaching experience; or
   6. a Chinese tour guide who, at the time of application, holds a valid Tour Guide Licence in China, and can demonstrate knowledge of New Zealand and holds IELTS Level 5 in Listening and Speaking English.
3. At any one time, the number of Chinese nationals holding a visa or permit issued or granted for any occupation under this policy must not exceed the following:
   1. 200 Chinese chefs
   2. 200 TCM practitioners (including TCM nurses)
   3. 150 Mandarin teachers' aides
   4. 150 Chinese Wushu Martial Arts coaches; and
   5. 100 Chinese tour guides.
4. To be issued or granted a work visa and permit under this policy, applicants must:
   1. provide a completed work visa/permit application form and fee; and
   2. have a New Zealand job offer in one of the occupations listed above, which meets the requirements set out in W2.10; and
   3. meet the specific qualifications and/or experience requirement for their occupation, as detailed in WI9(b) above; and
   4. meet health and character requirements set out in E6; and
   5. meet the requirements for bona fide applicants set out in E5.

      Note: For the purposes of this policy the job offer for a Mandarin teacher’s aide may meet the requirements at W2.10.5 and W2.10.10 if the applicant presents a letter showing they have been nominated by the Ministries of Education in New Zealand and China.

5. A labour market check is not required.
6. Applications for a work visa under this policy must be lodged with the Immigration New Zealand branch in either Beijing or Shanghai.
7. Successful applicants will be issued with a work visa valid for travel for 6 months from the date of issue and on arrival in New Zealand will be granted a work permit for a maximum of three years, depending on the length of their job offer. Successful applicants will also be issued a multiple entry work visa, valid for the same period as the work permit, allowing re-entry to New Zealand on any number of occasions.
8. If the initial permit is valid for less than three years, a further permit may be granted onshore for the balance of the three-year period, as long as the applicant still meets all the requirements of this policy.
9. Work permits granted under this policy must be endorsed with conditions that allow work only for a specified employer in a specified occupation.
10. On completion of the three-year period, applicants must remain outside New Zealand for three years before applying for a further visa under this policy.

Note: This policy reflects New Zealand's international trade commitments (see E9).

Effective 30/01/2010