RW7.10 Sponsorship by an acceptable sponsor

1. Applicants must provide evidence of sponsorship by an acceptable sponsor by providing a completed Sponsorship Form for Religious Workers (INZ 1190) with their application for a resident visa.
2. Completion of the form must include:
   1. evidence that:
      • the sponsoring organisation is a charity registered with Charities Services with a primary purpose of advancing religion; and
      • work to be undertaken by the applicant meets the requirements at RW7.5(c);
   2. a statement from the sponsoring organisation establishing the reasons why that the organisation considers that work by the applicant will continue to serve their religious objectives; and
   3. a declaration of sponsorship from the organisation, to confirm they will meet the undertakings specified at R4.10 for a period of five years after the grant of the resident visa; and
   4. information to demonstrate that the sponsoring organisation has a long term need for a religious worker (this may include, but is not limited to a statement demonstrating a shortage of New Zealanders or resident visa holders suitable and available for the religious work, or information pertaining to the growth of the religious organisation or their followers).

RW7.10.1 Requirements for sponsoring organisations

1. Sponsoring organisations (including any person associated with the organisation who is able to influence the recruitment, employment or supervision of workers of that organisation) under these instructions must have a history of compliance with the relevant employment and immigration law in force in New Zealand. Compliance with relevant New Zealand employment and immigration law includes, but is not limited to:
   1. paying employees no less than the appropriate minimum wage rate or other contracted industry standard; and
   2. meeting holiday and special leave requirements or other minimum statutory criteria, e.g. occupational safety and health obligations; and
   3. only allowing people to work in their service who can lawfully work in New Zealand, and in compliance with their visa conditions.
2. Evidence or confirmation of compliance with relevant New Zealand employment and immigration law may include but is not limited to:
   1. an employment agreement with the applicant which demonstrates compliance (if the applicant is employed); and
   2. a recognised history with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment of past compliance.
3. The sponsoring organisation is considered to not have a history of compliance with employment and immigration law if it fails to meet the requirements set out at R5.110.
4. Immigration officers may also request other evidence or confirmation of the sponsoring organisation’s past compliance with employment and immigration law.
5. Immigration officers may require employers to provide evidence that the rate of pay and/or conditions of work offered to the applicant is not less than that for New Zealand workers undertaking similar work for the sponsoring organisation.
6. INZ will decline an application for a Religious Worker resident visa where it considers that granting the visa would undermine the integrity, credibility or reputation of the New Zealand immigration or employment relations systems.
7. Sponsoring organisations under these instructions (including any person associated with the organisation who is able to influence the recruitment, employment or supervision of workers of that organisation) must not have been convicted under s98, 98C or 98D of the Crimes Act 1961 (see R5.111).

Note: To determine whether an employment agreement creates an unacceptable risk to the integrity of New Zealand's immigration and employment laws or instructions, an immigration officer may consider whether the rate of pay and/or conditions of the work are comparable to that for New Zealand workers undertaking similar work for the sponsoring organisation.

Effective 11/04/2024