WG1.5 Policy on duration of general work policy work permits (29/04/2002)

1. If an applicant meets the requirements for applications based on offers of employment:
   1. in an occupation that is included on the current OSL (WG2); or
   2. from employers with approval in principle from NZIS (WG3); or
   3. from employers making a case that New Zealand workers are not available (WG4),

   then unless there are any special directions to the contrary, a work permit may be granted for the period for which employment is offered, up to a maximum of 3 years.

2. There is no limit on how many further work permits may be granted. Further work permits may be granted for the period for which further employment is offered, up to a maximum of 3 years each time, if for each period of employment the applicant still meets the requirements for applications based on offers of employment as set out in WG1.5 (a) above.

   Example: If an applicant gained their existing work permit on the basis of an offer of employment in an occupation on the OSL then the grant of a further work permit is reliant on an offer of further employment:
   
   i being in an occupation on the OSL current at the time their application to renew their work permit is made; or
   ii the unavailability of New Zealand workers being confirmed by a labour market test.

Effective 29/04/2002