W4.1 General process (26/07/1999)

1. Unlike other applications for work visas and permits, applications for overseas crew members of chartered foreign fishing (CFF) vessels must be initiated collectively on the crew's behalf by the employer.
2. The employer requests approval in principle from the NZIS to recruit a stated number of overseas crew members for a CFF vessel or CFF vessels for a particular period.
3. The NZIS considers the request and decides whether to give approval in principle, and, if so, for how many crew members.
4. The employer then provides the NZIS with individual visa applications for as many overseas crew members as have been approved in principle.
5. The NZIS then considers each individual visa application in the context of that approval in principle.
6. The NZIS issues or declines individual visas.

Effective 26/07/1999