New Zealand•Oceania

Open

Religious Worker Work Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

5 weeks

Application Fee

1,455 NZD

Stay Duration

Up to 2 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

Sponsored 2-year work visa for ministers, missionaries, and trained religious workers offered roles with a registered NZ religious charity, with a path to residence.

Issued by Immigration New Zealand, the Religious Worker Work Visa lets ministers, missionaries and members of religious orders take sponsored roles with a NZ religious organisation registered as a charity whose primary purpose is advancing religion. Applicants need a confirmed work offer and at least two years of relevant training or experience.

Each visa lasts up to two years, with one further two-year visa allowed (four years total) before applicants must switch categories or seek residence. The fee starts at NZD 1,355, plus the NZ$100 IVL where it applies, and 80% of decisions issue within 7.5 weeks. Partners and dependent children cannot be included and must apply separately.

This visa is ideal for ordained clergy, missionaries or religious teachers sponsored by a registered NZ religious charity who aim to progress to residence via the Religious Worker Resident Visa after three years.

Fee Breakdown

Application fee (from)	1,355 NZD
International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL)	100 NZD

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

New Zealand

RW-RV — Religious Worker Resident Visa

ValidityIndefinite

Processing9 weeks

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must have an offer of religious work from a sponsoring organization.

The sponsoring organization must be a registered charity in New Zealand.

Must have at least 2 years of religious training or work experience.

Must be sponsored by the organization for the duration of the stay.

Must meet health and character requirements.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Experience

2+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Religious credentials

Experience evidence

Police certificate

Health certificate

Charity registration (sponsor)

Organization documents (sponsor)

Employment agreement (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Pathway to residence via the Religious Worker Resident Visa after 3 years of work in NZ.
Initial 2-year stay, extendable by one further 2-year visa for up to 4 years total.
Allows study of up to 3 months in any 12-month period alongside religious work.
Multiple-entry — holders may travel in and out of New Zealand during the visa term.
80% of decisions issued within 7.5 weeks, providing a predictable timeline.
Application fee starts at NZD 1,355 — modest relative to most NZ skilled work visas.

Worth Knowing

Sponsor must be a registered charity whose primary purpose is advancing religion.
Requires at least 2 years of religious training or work experience documented in evidence.
Applicant cannot be an officer or nominated person of the sponsoring organisation.
Standard NZD 100 IVL applies on top of the application fee where required.
Health (chest X-ray) and police certificate requirements apply for stays of this length.
Partner and dependent children cannot be included — they must apply for their own visas.
Total time on a Religious Worker work visa is capped at 4 years before switching to residence or another visa.

Application Process

Obtain sponsorship: From registered charity advancing religion

Complete application: Religious Worker Work Visa form

Document experience: Proof of 2+ years religious work/training

Provide employer details: Sponsoring organization information

Police and health checks: Good character and health assessment

Pay fee: NZD 3,070 and IVL levy

Await decision: Usually 4-8 weeks

Application Forms

Religious Worker Work Visa Application

—

Verified Claims (10)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps · 5	Pay fee: from NZD 1,355 plus NZD 100 IVL where applicable	immigration.govt.nz
Application Steps · 6	Await decision: 80% within 7.5 weeks	immigration.govt.nz
Dependent Visa	Not included (partners and children must apply for their own visas)	immigration.govt.nz
Fee Breakdown	Application fee (from): 1355 NZD; International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL): 100 NZD	immigration.govt.nz
Fees	From NZD 1,355 (+ NZD 100 IVL where applicable)	immigration.govt.nz
Job Offer Required	true	immigration.govt.nz
Official Info	https://immigration.govt.nz/visas/religious-worker-work-visa	immigration.govt.nz
Max Stay	Up to 2 years per visa, up to 4 years total (one further 2-year visa)	immigration.govt.nz

Ready to see if the Religious Worker Work Visa is your path?

Let's check your eligibility against published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.

Check Eligibility

Overview

Sponsored 2-year work visa for ministers, missionaries, and trained religious workers offered roles with a registered NZ religious charity, with a path to residence.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must have an offer of religious work from a sponsoring organization.

The sponsoring organization must be a registered charity in New Zealand.

Must have at least 2 years of religious training or work experience.

Must be sponsored by the organization for the duration of the stay.

Must meet health and character requirements.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Experience

2+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Religious credentials

Experience evidence

Police certificate

Health certificate

Charity registration (sponsor)

Organization documents (sponsor)

Employment agreement (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Pathway to residence via the Religious Worker Resident Visa after 3 years of work in NZ.
Initial 2-year stay, extendable by one further 2-year visa for up to 4 years total.
Allows study of up to 3 months in any 12-month period alongside religious work.
Multiple-entry — holders may travel in and out of New Zealand during the visa term.
80% of decisions issued within 7.5 weeks, providing a predictable timeline.
Application fee starts at NZD 1,355 — modest relative to most NZ skilled work visas.

Worth Knowing

Sponsor must be a registered charity whose primary purpose is advancing religion.
Requires at least 2 years of religious training or work experience documented in evidence.
Applicant cannot be an officer or nominated person of the sponsoring organisation.
Standard NZD 100 IVL applies on top of the application fee where required.
Health (chest X-ray) and police certificate requirements apply for stays of this length.
Partner and dependent children cannot be included — they must apply for their own visas.
Total time on a Religious Worker work visa is capped at 4 years before switching to residence or another visa.