Entertainment Industry Accreditation
With Entertainment Industry Accreditation, employers can bring overseas entertainment industry workers to New Zealand without first getting agreement from the relevant New Zealand entertainment union, guild or professional association.
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Valid for
Initially
2 years
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Cost
NZD $2310
To be granted accreditation, your entertainment industry company must:
- be a New Zealand employer in New Zealand
- be in a good financial position
- have a sound New Zealand entertainment industry track record
- be committed to training and employing New Zealanders
- comply with New Zealand employment law.
With this accreditation you can:
- hire multiple overseas
without getting agreement from a New Zealand entertainment union, guild or professional association - support Entertainer Work Visa applications for overseas entertainment industry workers.
Who can be granted accreditation
To be granted Entertainment Industry Accreditation, your company must:
- be in a good financial position
- have a sound New Zealand entertainment industry track record
- have sound knowledge of the New Zealand entertainment industry
- be committed to training and employing New Zealanders
- have good workplace practices.
Financial position
Your entertainment industry company must be in a sound financial position.
If available, you must provide the following business records covering at least 2 financial years:
- annual reports
- financial statements
- business plans
- company profile and registration details.
Note
If your company is a single purpose vehicle (SPV) that is owned and operated by an overseas production company, you should also include information about any previous SPVs you have operated in New Zealand and how long the parent company has been involved in New Zealand.
Industry track record
Your company must have a sound entertainment industry track record in New Zealand.
Evidence can include that you:
- use New Zealand casting directors, agents, line producers, and crew booking agents for technical staff
- have engaged with a New Zealander to work on previous productions or performances, specifically heads of departments, and lead and support roles
- have engaged with relevant New Zealand unions and guilds for upcoming productions.
Note
We will work with relevant unions, guilds or professional associations to assess if you meet this requirement.
Entertainment industry knowledge
You must have a sound knowledge of the industry you work in.
You can include any evidence you believe shows your knowledge of the New Zealand entertainment industry.
Note
We will work with relevant unions, guilds or professional associations to assess if you meet this requirement.
Training and employing New Zealanders
You must be committed to training and employing New Zealanders.
Evidence of your commitment can include:
- traineeships or internships
- mentoring programmes
- using New Zealand support acts
- training records, invoices and certificates
- exercises to cast New Zealanders.
Note
We will work with relevant unions, guilds or professional associations to assess if you meet this requirement.
Workplace practices
Your company must have good workplace practices.
When you complete your application, we will ask you:
- about your compliance with employment and immigration law
- for your authority to contact other New Zealand government agencies to assess if you meet this requirement.
How to apply for Entertainment Industry Accreditation
Follow these steps to get Entertainment Industry Accreditation or renew your accreditation.
Note
To help prevent delays with processing, make sure your application contains all the required documents.
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1
Step 1: Gather your documents
Organise proof of:
- good company finances
- sound entertainment industry track record and knowledge of the industry
- good workplace and recruitment practices, and
- commitment to hiring New Zealanders.
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2
Step 2: Complete the application form
Complete the application form and attach all supporting documents.
pdf, 511 KBYou will also need to send copies of parts of your application to a relevant New Zealand entertainment industry body.
You must be a New Zealand employer in New Zealand to apply.
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3
Step 3: Submit your application and pay the fee
Send your completed application form, supporting documents and payment information to us.
Check our Fees, decision times and where to apply tool for how to pay and submit.
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Step 4: Wait for our decision
When we assess your application, we may consult with entertainment industry unions, guilds or professional associations, and other government agencies.
We may ask you for extra information if it is needed to make a decision about your application.
If we approve your application, your accreditation will be valid for 12 months.
When you get accreditation
Once accredited, you can employ entertainment industry workers from overseas without first having to ask the relevant New Zealand entertainment union, guild or professional association for their agreement.
Before they can start working for you, your potential workers will need a work visa. They can apply for one by completing a 'Performing Artists, Entertainers and Entertainment Personnel Work Visa Application'. You will need to support each worker's Entertainers Work Visa application.
We will let you know if we issue work visas to your workers.
Entertainers Work Visa — Support a candidate's visa application
Maintain your accreditation
If you have a continuing need for overseas entertainment workers, you can apply to renew your entertainment industry accreditation.
It is a good idea to apply 3 months before your current accreditation expires, otherwise your application will be treated like you are applying for the first time and you may be charged the full fee.
If we renew your accreditation, it will be valid for another 2 years.
You can apply to renew your accreditation for additional 2-yearly periods — you must still meet the requirements for accreditation.