WM4.1 Further work visa under Religious Worker instructions

1. A further work visa under Religious Worker instructions can be granted to the holder of a work visa for the purpose of religious work:
   1. for a period of up to two years, provided the total time spent on a work visa for religious work will not exceed four years; or
   2. where the applicant has lodged an application for a resident visa under Religious Worker residence instructions (see RW7), to allow the resident visa application to be completed.

      Note: A work visa for the purpose of religious work includes visas granted under Ministers of religion, missionaries, and members of religious orders instructions, or Specific purpose or event work instructions before 5 November 2011.

2. To be eligible for a further work visa under Religious Worker instructions applicants must:
   1. hold a current work visa granted under Religious Worker instructions (or Ministers of religion, missionaries, and members of religious orders instructions, or Specific purpose or event work instructions before 5 November 2011); and
   2. be in New Zealand; and
   3. submit an application in the prescribed manner (see WM4); and
   4. pay the appropriate fee and immigration levy; and
   5. provide evidence to satisfy INZ that they have been working to advance the religious objectives of the sponsoring organisation for a period of up to two years (evidence may include, but is not limited to, letters from the sponsoring organisation, wage slips, and/or IRD tax records).
3. The sponsoring organisation must provide a statement establishing the reasons why it considers that there is an ongoing genuine need for the applicant to continue working for it as a religious worker.
4. Successful applicants will be granted a further work visa under the Religious Worker instructions:
   1. for up to two years from the expiry date of the work visa held under Religious Worker instructions; and
   2. with the same conditions as the original work visa granted under Religious Worker instructions (see WM5).
5. To be eligible for a further work visa the religious work undertaken by the applicant must be for:
   1. consecutive periods; and
   2. the same sponsoring organisation.

Effective 07/12/2015