The Minister of Immigration has announced changes that will give religious workers a pathway to residence.
What is religious work?
Religious work is work that directly serves the religious objectives of the sponsoring organisation and can include, (for example) conducting public and private prayer, undertaking ordination, and officiating at religious ceremonies. A definition will be included in the operational policy.
What has changed?
The three existing policies available to religious workers will be revoked. A new policy will be introduced that comprises both:
- a Temporary visa (maximum stay of four years), and
- a Resident visa.
How do the new policies compare with the existing policies?
The new policies facilitate the entry of short-term to long-term religious workers. Existing policies do not lead to residence for religious workers, which can hinder continuity in pastoral care for communities. The new policies will help to resolve this problem.
Will people who are eligible under the existing policies be able to use the new policies?
Many will be able to do so. Genuine religious workers should not have difficulty obtaining a visa under the new policies, provided religious organisations are registered charities (with the purpose of advancing religion) and the religious workers can demonstrate they meet the criteria.
Will some communities be disadvantaged by the new policies?
No, provided they meet the criteria. If religious organisations are currently not registered charities they have the option of registering with the Charities Commission. The requirements for registration can be found on the Charities Commission website.
Why it has taken a long time to get decisions?
The Government has reviewed and amended a number of immigration policies since coming into power. It takes time ensure a robust and thorough policy process is undertaken. A significant part of the religious workers review has been the extensive consultation with interested parties and government agencies. We wanted to ensure the new policy would facilitate the entry of religious workers and at the same time manage risk to the immigration system.
Why is there a shortage of religious workers?
The shortage exists for two reasons. Firstly, New Zealand is becoming an increasingly diverse country. Almost one in five New Zealand residents was born overseas. There has been an increase in the number of people whose religion is non-Christian – such as members of the Hindu, Buddhist, and Islam faiths. Secondly, there are shortages of applicants for Christian vocations (for example, the Catholic priesthood).
The new policies will give migrants the opportunity to practise, maintain and advance their religious beliefs. The new pathway to residence for religious workers will help religious communities meet their long-term needs.
What are the problems with the existing policies?
Not all existing policies require evidence that applicants have relevant qualifications, skills or work experience. This means some low-skilled people who would not otherwise be able to work in New Zealand can enter and undertake non-religious work that could be done by New Zealanders.
Genuine religious workers also face barriers to residence because, for example, they are not in a conventional employment relationship and often do not earn a salary.
How does a religious organisation demonstrate a long-term need for religious workers?
This detail is yet to be finalised. Some possible ways of demonstrating long-term need could include providing information about the religious community (numbers and whether the community is increasing) and evidence that the continuity of pastoral care would be affected. This would be a case-by-case assessment as we recognise the variety of needs of different religious organisations.
Why is there an English language requirement?
The English language requirement will help ensure a religious worker can integrate into the community and contribute to wider society. This requirement will not prevent religious workers from conducting services in their native language. The English language level is not specific to religious workers – almost all immigration residence policies require a certain level of English. Religious workers are skilled workers and, having been here on a temporary visa for three years, it should not be difficult for them to meet the required level of English, which is not high.
Why is there an age limit for those seeking residence?
The age limit is to ensure migrants can make a substantive contribution to New Zealand and their community before retiring. It also helps to minimise short-term costs to the Crown (particularly health costs, which tend to rise as people age). The age limit is consistent with existing policies – in particular, the Skilled Migrant Category.
Religious workers are similar to other applicants for residence under the Skilled/ Business stream, they are skilled as a result of their training, experience and in some cases, qualifications. The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification Occupation recognises religious workers as skilled.
Why is there an income requirement before dependent children can enter New Zealand?
The income requirement will help ensure the welfare of dependants. It is also consistent with the Essential Skills temporary work policy. Not all religious workers will be able to meet this income requirement, which is why there is the alternative option of the religious organisation sponsoring dependants. The sponsor would be responsible for accommodation, maintenance and repatriation of the dependant.
Will the number of religious workers coming here change much as a result of these new policies?
Over 500 religious workers have been in New Zealand for more than three years, a significant proportion of whom are likely to apply for residence under the new policies. Initial estimates of demand for the residence policy after this initial ‘peak’ are at around 100 approvals a year.
Will religious workers who have been here for three years or more be able to apply for residence straight away?
Yes. Religious workers who have been working in New Zealand while holding a work visa granted under one of the existing categories for ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders and meet the new residence criteria will be eligible for residence.
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