W5.15 Tuvalu Work Permit Scheme (26/07/1999)

1. This scheme allows up to 80 workers from Tuvalu to be employed in New Zealand at any one time, under work permits for a maximum of 3 years.
2. Applicants must:
   1. be resident in Tuvalu, and
   2. be aged between 20 and 45, and
   3. have their nomination for inclusion in the scheme approved by the Government of Tuvalu.

W5.15.1 Employment and administration

1. The Tuvalu Honorary Consul and the Tuvalu Liaison Officer in New Zealand are responsible for identifying suitable job opportunities in New Zealand and for arranging placements with employers. There are no restrictions on the types of jobs offered.
2. If training in New Zealand is involved, arrangements are made between the Honorary Consul, or Liaison Officer, the worker and the employer or training institution.
3. The Tuvalu Honorary Consul and the Tuvalu Liaison Officer send details of any jobs identified, including the names of the prospective employers, the numbers of workers and the skills required, to:
   1. the Tuvalu authorities, and
   2. the NZIS office in New Zealand closest to where the jobs are located, and
   3. the NZIS branch office in Suva.
4. The Tuvalu authorities are responsible for selecting workers for the scheme and for ensuring that they have the necessary skills.
5. The selection authorities forward the applications completed by the selected workers to the NZIS branch office in Suva.
6. On receiving the application, the Suva office must confirm that a vacancy on the scheme exists.

   Note: Vacancies arise when a worker leaves the scheme for any reason, such as when they return to Tuvalu or gain residence in New Zealand.

W5.15.5 Work visas and permits

1. A work visa authorising work for 12 months in the first instance may be issued, provided that:
   1. the employment offer is still current, and
   2. the applicant meets the onward travel and repatriation requirements set out in W5.15.10 and W5.15.20 below, and
   3. meets health and character requirements (see E6).
2. Before issuing a visa, visa and immigration officers should sight:
   1. a police certificate, and
   2. completed NZIS Medical and X-ray Certificate Forms..
3. All Tuvalu work scheme participants in New Zealand are
   1. subject to employment law, and
   2. subject to New Zealand tax, and
   3. covered by the New Zealand Accident Insurance Act 1998.

      Note: Work scheme participants or their employers are, however, responsible for arranging insurance protection for sickness, hospitalisation or death beyond that provided by the Act.

4. Further permits allowing a maximum stay of 3 years may be granted, provided that the applicant submits evidence of continued employment under the scheme.

W5.15.10 Travel arrangements

1. Travel arrangements are made between:
   • the work scheme participant, and
   • the Tuvalu authorities, and
   • the Honorary Consul for Tuvalu or Tuvalu Liaison Officer in New Zealand.
2. The Tuvalu authorities advise the Honorary Consul of the participant's travel details, but the Tuvalu Liaison Officer is responsible for arranging the participants' reception in New Zealand, including their initial accommodation.
3. Wherever feasible, arrangements should be made for work scheme participants to travel to New Zealand in groups.

W5.15.15 Spouses and dependants

1. Initially, Tuvalu work scheme participants are expected to travel to New Zealand without family.
2. Spouses and dependants may join them in New Zealand, provided that:
   1. they meet the standard requirements for a visitor's or student visa, as modified to make their maintenance, accommodation and repatriation the responsibility of the work scheme participant, and
   2. satisfactory accommodation arrangements have been made for them.

W5.15.20 Repatriation

1. Tuvalu work scheme participants are responsible for saving sufficient funds while they are working in New Zealand to cover return fare costs for themselves and their family.
2. If participants need airfares to be advanced, the Honorary Consul for Tuvalu is responsible for making the arrangements and for recovering the costs. These arrangements may involve the Tuvalu authorities or the employer through direct contact with the participant.

Effective 26/07/1999