G3.30 Exception to normal qualifications requirements for... (26/07/1999)

Exceptions to normal qualifications requirements for professional sports coaches, ministers of religion and information technology (IT) specialists

1. Although principal applicants who are professional sports coaches and ministers of religion do not hold qualifications of the standard required by General Skills category policy (see G3.1), they may be awarded 10 points if they have:
   1. a minimum of 3 years' full-time work experience in their chosen field, outside New Zealand, with a credible organisation (the experience must not be counted towards points for work experience); and
   2. relevant qualifications of a minimum of 12 months' duration, or relevant occupational training of a minimum of 12 months' duration, or a combination of relevant qualifications and relevant occupational training of a minimum of 12 months' duration; and
   3. an offer of employment from a sporting or religious organisation in New Zealand affiliated to a national organisation; and
   4. a written letter of support from the relevant national organisation in New Zealand.
2. Professional sports coaches are restricted to those who have:
   1. held a permit to work as a professional sports coach in New Zealand, and
   2. completed 3 years' full-time coaching at a regional or national level in New Zealand during the 3 years immediately before the application for residence is lodged.
3. Ministers of religion are restricted to those who:
   1. are members of religions and denominations recognised for the purposes of work visa or work permit policy (as listed in Special Categories of Work Visas or Permits, Ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders), and
   2. have held a permit to work as a full-time minister in New Zealand for the 3 years immediately before the application for residence is lodged.
4. Although principal applicants who are IT specialists may not hold qualifications of the standard required by General Skills category policy (see G3.1), they may be awarded 10 points if they:
   1. have a minimum of 3 years' full-time work experience in their field of specialisation (this experience must not be counted towards points for work experience); and
   2. can provide evidence of some formal training in their area of specialisation; and
   3. hold a letter of support issued by the Information Technology Association of New Zealand (ITANZ), confirming that their skills are in short supply in New Zealand; and
   4. hold an offer of employment in that particular field of specialisation.
5. Principal applicants under the provisions of G3.30 must meet all other requirements of the General Skills category and obtain sufficient points to meet the passmark applying at the time the application is made.

Effective 26/07/1999