V3.145 High-end music acts (17/11/2014)

See also Immigration Act 2009, s 4

See also Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010 Schedule 2

1. Music performers, and their immediate support crew, being promoted in New Zealand by a music promoter on Immigration New Zealand’s Approved Music Promoter List are considered to be ‘high-end music acts’ and may be granted a visitor visa to perform in New Zealand.
2. Members of high-end music acts from countries whose nationals are people to whom a visa waiver applies (see E2.1) may be granted a visitor visa and entry permission on arrival in New Zealand.
3. Members of high-end music acts from countries whose nationals are required to hold a visitor visa to travel to New Zealand must apply for a visitor visa on the basis of being part of a high-end music act before travelling to New Zealand.
4. Applicants must meet temporary entry class requirements for:
   1. lodging an application as set out at E4; and
   2. bona fide applicants as set out at E5; and
   3. funds and onward travel requirements as set out at V2.20 and V2.25; and
   4. health and character requirements as set out at A4.5 and A5.5.
5. Applicants must provide written confirmation from the Approved Music Promoter (as defined in V3.145.5, below) confirming their involvement in musical performances in New Zealand. This must include:
   1. the name of the applicant; and
   2. the performance(s) the applicant will undertake while in New Zealand; and
   3. the dates or duration of the performance(s) to be undertaken.

Note: For the purpose of these instructions, performances undertaken by high-end music acts are excluded from the definition of work as set out in section 4 of the Immigration Act 2009.

V3.145.5 Approved Music Promoter List requirements

1. To be added to the Approved Music Promoter List, music promoters must submit a proposal to Immigration New Zealand demonstrating that they meet the following requirements:
   1. the promoter must have been established for at least three years; and
   2. the promoter must have a credible record of promoting international performers in New Zealand in the past three years; and
   3. the promoter must have a history of compliance with immigration requirements
2. Support from either the New Zealand Music Commission, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, or Creative New Zealand is required for a promoter to be added to the Approved Music Promoter List. INZ will consult with these organisations to confirm support.
3. Approval will be valid for four years. It may be renewed, upon application, where Immigration New Zealand is satisfied that the music promoter still meets the requirements for approval set out in (a) and (b) above.
4. Immigration New Zealand will rescind a promoter’s approval where it considers that the music promoter’s conduct has created an unacceptable risk to the integrity of New Zealand's immigration or employment laws or policies.

Effective 17/11/2014