WG5.10 Ministers of religion, missionaries, and members of religious orders (07/10/2002)

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	Seventh Day Adventist
Christian Outreach Centre	Sikh
Church of the Nazarene	Syrian Orthodox Church
Congregational	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	Voice of Christ Full Gospel
International Harvesters Ministries	WEC International (World-wide Evangelisation for Christ)
Institute of Basic Life Principles Church Inc	Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand
International Society for Krishna Consciousness	Youth for Christ NZ
Jehovah's Witnesses	YWAM
Jesus is Lord Church
Latter-day Saints - Mormon
Korean Evangelical Church of NZ

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 07/10/2002