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Special immigration process for international performers and high-end music
Description of the policy/measure
In 2012, immigration new zealand introduced special immigration instructions for international performers and their support crew to enter new zealand to participate in an approved arts or music festival. to obtain approved status, a festival must intend to engage at least 10 international participants. under the special immigration process, performers are eligible to enter new zealand on a visitor visa instead of a work visa as per normal procedure. this makes for a more streamlined immigration process, and ensures that immigration settings are not a barrier for international performers to travel to new zealand to perform in such festivals. in 2014, immigration new zealand introduced a special immigration instructions for high-end music acts and their support crew. if they are being promoted in new zealand by a music promoter on immigration new zealand’s approved music promoter list, then these music acts are able to travel to and perform in new zealand on visitor visas, rather than work visas. this means that people holding passports which are visa-waived for travel to new zealand, and who do not have any other reason to need to apply for a visa (such as a previous conviction) will not need to apply at all before they travel, while others who are travelling on visa required passports, will benefit from the lower cost and reduced documentation associated with visitor visa applications.
2005 Convention Monitoring Framework Goal(s)
Area(s) of Monitoring
Transversal Priority(ies)
Results achieved
Improved access to new zealand audiences for international artists.improved access to skills and expertise of international artists in new zealand.facilitated entry of international music acts to new zealand.
Financial resources allocated to the policy
Development, consultation and implementation of the immigration process and policy were completed within baseline.
Evaluation of the policy/measure
As at the end of 2015, 40 festivals had been approved by immigration new zealand. feedback from organisers of approved festivals has been very positive.as at march 2016, 41 music promoters had been approved by immigration new zealand. feedback from the approved music promoters has been very positive.