This policy allowed a Work Permit to be granted to people who were unlawfully in New Zealand on 18 September 2000. Successful applicants had to have first arrived in New Zealand before 1 October 1999. To be eligible, as at 18 September 2000 they had to be:
- living in New Zealand continuously for five years
- in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident who supported their application
or
- a dependent child of an eligible applicant
or
- the biological or adoptive parent of a dependent child born in New Zealand.
After two years of holding a work permit, residence can be applied for. The opportunity to apply for a Work Permit under this policy ceased in 30 March 2001.