WR3.15 Making an application for a work visa under the Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Instructions

Applications for visas under the Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Instructions must:

1. be made on or before 31 October 2021 unless WR3.15.1 applies; and

   Note: Applications received on or before 31 October 2021 will continue to be processed. Applications received after this date will not be accepted. This does not apply to applications for a subsequent visa under WR3.15.1.

2. meet all the requirements under Generic Temporary Entry instructions for lodging an application for a temporary entry class visa as set out at E4, except the requirement to provide evidence of funds for maintenance in New Zealand or evidence of sponsorship. This requirement is met through the provision of an offer of employment (see WR3.5); and
3. include an offer of employment in an occupation on the Long Term Skill Shortage List that meets the requirements for offers of employment set out at WR3.5; and
4. provide a completed Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113); and
5. include a detailed job description and ideal person specification for that offer of employment; and
6. include evidence that the applicant is suitably qualified by training and/or experience to undertake the offer of employment; and
7. include, where necessary
   1. evidence of full or provisional registration, if full or provisional registration is required by law to take up the offer of employment (see SM10.5 for the list of occupations requiring registration); or
   2. evidence from the New Zealand Medical or Dental Council that applicants are eligible for full or provisional registration subject only to attending a personal interview with a Council representative within one month of their arrival in New Zealand; and

      Note: For medical practitioners, registration within a 'special purpose scope of practice' is not full or provisional registration for the purpose of a residence application or a work to residence application.

8. include a completed General Medical Certificate (INZ 1007) and Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ 1096) and any associated medical or laboratory reports required for the medical or chest X-ray certificates; and

   Notes:
   ~ All medical and chest X-ray certificates and associated reports must be less than 3 months old at the time the application is made unless A4.25(c) applies.
   ~ Medical and chest X-ray certificates may be submitted directly to INZ by the physician who completes the examination.

9. include police certificates from the applicant's country of citizenship and from any country in which they have lived for 5 or more years since attaining the age of 17 years.

   Note: Police certificates must be no more than 6 months old when the application is lodged, unless A5.10(d) applies.

WR3.15.1 Applications for a subsequent work visa under the Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Instructions for applicants who have made a residence application

1. Despite the requirements at WR3.15(a) applications for a subsequent work visa under the Long Term Skill Shortage Work Instructions may be approved if the applicant:
   1. holds a Long Term Skill Shortage work visa; and
   2. has made an application for residence under the Long Term Skill Shortage List residence instructions and a decision on that residence application is yet to be made; and
   3. meets the requirements at WR3.1(a) or, if their occupation is no longer on the LTSSL, is remaining in the same occupation listed on their current work visa; and
   4. meets the requirements at WR3.1(b), (d), (e) and (f); and
   5. has an offer of employment for a period that is at least 12 months; and
   6. meets all the requirements outlined at WR3.5, except (b).
2. Visas may be granted under these instructions for the length of time required to decide the application made under Residence instructions for holders of work visas granted under the Long Term Skill Shortage List work instructions, up to a maximum of 24 months.
3. Where the associated residence application in (a)(ii) above is declined the applicant is not eligible for further visas under this instruction unless they are granted a new work visa under WR3 instructions and have submitted a new residence from work application based on holding the new work visa for at least 24 months.
4. Despite E7.10(a)(ii) immigration officers may apply these instructions to any work visa application under the Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Instructions that has not been decided and was submitted before the effective date.

Effective 31/08/2023