Antarctic Treaty Personnel Work Visa

At a glance

This work visa allows a member of, or a person associated with, any scientific programme or expedition under the auspices of a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty to work on the New Zealand mainland for the duration of their assignment. [WI3]

How to apply

Applicants must provide a letter from the responsible authority of the Contracting Party confirming their status under WI3. [WI3] This letter also serves as sufficient evidence that the applicant meets temporary entry class health and character requirements, so no separate medical or police certificate is needed. [WI3.1] They must lodge a complete application meeting the generic temporary entry lodgement requirements (E4) and satisfy the bona fide applicant requirement (E5). [WI3] No labour market test, evidence of funds, or onward travel arrangements are required. [WI3]

Eligibility criteria

• The applicant must be a member of, or a person associated with, a scientific programme or expedition under a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty. [WI3]
• The applicant must provide a confirmation letter from the responsible authority. [WI3]
• The applicant must meet health and character requirements—these are satisfied by the provision of the confirmation letter; no additional health or character documentation is required. [WI3.1]
• The applicant must meet lodgement and bona fide requirements (E4/E5), with the exemptions noted above. [WI3]

Interpretation & edge cases

The visa is granted for the period of the assignment only, and it does not confer a direct pathway to residence. [WI3] Immigration officers have no discretion to waive the requirement for a confirmation letter, but they may seek additional evidence to verify the applicant's association with the programme. [WI3] The policy does not define "associated with"; officers must assess the nature of the relationship to the programme on a case-by-case basis. [WI3]

Citations

• WI3 — Personnel working in New Zealand as part of a programme of a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty
• WI3.1 — Health and character requirements for personnel working in New Zealand as part of a programme of a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty