WS3.1 Evidential and other requirements for...

WS3.1 Evidential and other requirements for entertainers, performing artists and associated support personnel, film and video production and post-production crew, producers, and directors

1. Employers, promoters, agents or producers must provide, and visa and immigration officers must be satisfied with, the following evidence and information:
   1. adequate evidence that the applicant is of international distinction or merit, or particular ethnic significance, or is manifestly essential to the presentation or production; and
   2. adequate evidence that the applicant's employment does not put at risk the employment of New Zealand entertainers or professionals in equivalent work unless the wider benefits to be obtained from the applicant's employment outweigh the loss of job opportunities for New Zealanders; and
   3. adequate evidence that they have given appropriate consideration to employing available New Zealand entertainers or professionals; and
   4. the full names, nationalities, dates and places of birth of each applicant; and
   5. a guarantee of accommodation and repatriation for each applicant.
2. Employers must submit this evidence and information in writing to the nearest branch office of the NZIS at least 10 working days before the proposed engagement.
3. The NZIS may waive the time limit of 10 working days if in exceptional circumstances the availability of a performer (or a replacement) cannot be confirmed until closer to the date of the event.

WS3.1.1 Obtaining the agreement of the relevant New Zealand performers' union or professional association

1. Visa and immigration officers must sight evidence that the information required in WS3.1 above has been supplied to the relevant performers' union(s) or professional association(s) depending on the specific occupations of all those involved in the performance or production.
2. Details of the relevant unions/professional associations and their officers are published on the NZIS Internet Website.
3. If the relevant union or professional association does not object to the application, the NZIS may authorise the appropriate New Zealand overseas branch or post to issue a work visa.
4. If the relevant union or professional association objects to the application, the union must notify the NZIS within 3 working days of receiving the information required by WS3.1.1(a) above from the promoter, agent or producer.
5. The NZIS will then consult with the parties to resolve the disagreement as quickly as possible.

   Note: In the case of film production, the NZIS may also seek advice from the New Zealand Film Commission or any other appropriate industry or government organisation.

6. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the NZIS refers the application to the Minister of Immigration for a decision.

Effective 29/04/2002