WG5.10 Ministers of religion, missionaries, and members of religious orders (24/03/2003)

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

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 24/03/2003