P3.1 Making a proposal to establish an exchange scheme (26/07/1999)

1. Any person or organisation wishing to make a formal proposal to the NZIS to establish an approved exchange scheme must give details of the proposed scheme under each of the headings in the Exchange Scheme profile (see P3.5).
2. The proposal should then be submitted to the manager of the nearest NZIS branch in New Zealand for consideration.
3. If the proposal appears to meet the requirements in P2, the NZIS then prepares a summary of the scheme that sets out:
   1. the various particulars, and
   2. the conditions under which the scheme must operate.
4. One copy of the summary is retained on the branch office file, and copies are sent to the appropriate branches and posts and to the Ministry of Education (Advisory Officer).
5. If appropriate, the NZIS may consult with other relevant departments or representative organisations before completing its assessment of the proposal.

   Example: The NZIS may refer an employment exchange scheme to Work and Income New Zealand to comment on the scheme's possible impact on the New Zealand labour market.

6. Before the NZIS makes a final decision, the New Zealand sponsor may be asked to either:
   1. confirm the summary, or
   2. clarify any matters that are unclear.
7. The NZIS advises the New Zealand sponsor of the decision, giving full reasons if it has not approved the proposal.

P3.1.1 Educational exchange schemes

1. In the case of educational exchange schemes between secondary schools and government-to-government educational exchange schemes, the Minister or Ministry of Education must approve requests for incoming exchange students to be exempt from having to pay foreign student fees.
2. The initial application may be lodged with the NZIS, which makes a preliminary assessment.
3. If the application meets NZIS criteria, the NZIS accepts the scheme subject to the approval of the Minister or Ministry of Education.
4. The NZIS office processing the scheme then refers a copy of the papers to:

   National Operations
   Ministry of Education
   National Office
   Private Box 1666
   WELLINGTON
   Attn: Exchange Schemes

5. Once the Ministry of Education has advised the NZIS of its approval, the NZIS approves the scheme and advises the organisers.

Effective 26/07/1999