WG5.10 Ministers of religion, missionaries, and members of religious orders (30/06/2003)

Work visas may be issued for both short-term and long-term engagements to Ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders who belong to religious denominations or groups specifically recognised under immigration policy.
Recognised religions and denominations are:

Ananda Marga	Muslim
Anglican	Navigators
Apostolic	New Life Churches of N.Z.
Asian Outreach	North Shore Church of Christ
Assemblies of God	Open Brethren
Associated Churches of Christ	Orthodox (Greek & Rumanian)
Bahai	Presbyterian
Baptist	Quaker Religious Society of Friends
Buddhist	Reformed Churches of New Zealand Community
Campus Crusade for Christ	Roman Catholic
Chengzhen Temple	Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Christian Community	Salvation Army
Christian Fellowships	Samoan Seventh Day Adventist Church
Christian Missionary Alliance	Seventh Day Adventist
Christian Outreach Centre	Sikh
Church of the Nazarene	Sufi Lodge Aotearoa
Church of Tonga	Syrian Orthodox Church
Congregational	Tian Yue Temple Charitable Trust
Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa	Tokaikolo Christian Church
Elim	Traditional Roman Catholic Board (Society of St. Pius Xth)
Free Church of Tonga	True Jesus Church
Hebrew Congregation - Jewish	Unitarian
Hindu	United Church of God
Hosanna Christ Gospel Church	United Missionary Fellowship Trust
International Harvesters Ministries	United Pentecostal Church International (New Zealand)
Institute of Basic Life Principles Church Inc	Voice of Christ Full Gospel
International Society for Krishna Consciousness	WEC International (World-wide Evangelisation for Christ)
Jehovah's Witnesses	Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand
Jesus is Lord Church	World Outreach International
Latter-day Saints - Mormon	Youth for Christ NZ
Korean Evangelical Church of NZ	YWAM
Lutheran
Methodist

New Zealand branches should assess and determine proposals to include religions and denominations not included in the above list. When a proposal is approved by a New Zealand branch, Service Excellence Group, at the National Office of the NZIS, should be informed so that the details can be included in the next manual amendment.

WG5.10.1 Short-term engagements

Work visas authorising a permit for the length of the appointment, up to a maximum of 12 months, may be issued to Ministers of religion, missionaries or members of religious orders coming to New Zealand on a short-term appointment or exchange:
1. to give instruction in religious studies, or
2. to conduct lectures or seminars, or
3. to carry out speaking engagements.
Visa and immigration officers must sight evidence that applicants have either:
1. a salary or official income from the overseas religious organisation to cover their accommodation and expenses; or
2. accommodation and maintenance from the host organisation in New Zealand.

WG5.10.5 Long-term engagements

Ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders coming to New Zealand to undertake religious work or training within a New Zealand religious community, may be issued with work visas authorising a permit for the length of their appointment or assignment, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Visa and immigration officers must sight evidence that the sponsoring body guarantees accommodation, maintenance and repatriation.
If the assignment or appointment is extended, further permits allowing a maximum stay of 4 years from the date of arrival may be granted, provided that:
1. the sponsoring body supports a further stay, and
2. the sponsorship arrangements are renewed, and
3. the applicant continues to meet the standard requirements for a work permit.

Effective 30/06/2003