Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Policy: question and answers

Who is this policy for?

The SSE policy is for horticulture and viticulture employers who need to supplement their New Zealand workforce with people who are visiting New Zealand.  It allows employers to recruit people who are already in New Zealand to undertake seasonal work, if Work and Income confirms that there are no suitable and available New Zealanders to fill these positions.

What is seasonal work?

For immigration purposes seasonal work in the horticulture and viticulture industries is defined as planting, maintaining, harvesting and packing crops.

How does this new SSE policy work?

Two applications are required, one for employers and one for workers.

• Employer applies for a SSE approval in principle to recruit a set number of workers for a set period. If approved, then the employer can offer employment to SSE work permit holders to fill the positions. They cannot employ more than the total number of SSE workers they have been approved for.
• Non-New Zealand citizens or residents lawfully in New Zealand can apply for SSE work permits. People holding SSE work permits may work for any employer with a current SSE approval in principle. A SSE work permit must be approved before a person can start working.

Is SSE policy the same as Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer (TRSE) policy?

No.  SSE policy replaced TRSE policy on 27 July 2009.  However, it has a similar two step structure to TRSE policy.  The key differences are listed below:

Employers who hold TRSE approval in principle to recruit TRSE work permit holders valid after 27 July 2009 will be able to recruit SSE work permit holders to fill these positions.   Please contact the RSE Unit if you are in this situation and you have not received a letter to explain this.

For full details of the policy see WH4 of our Operational Manual.

If I’m an employer, what do I need to have done before I can apply for SSE approval in principle?

You must have tried to fill your vacancies with New Zealand workers, and you should have contacted your local Work and Income office to see if they have, or will have at the time you need them, any suitable and available workers. It is important that you work with the local Work and Income office as it should speed up your SSE application.

You also need to have complied with the conditions of previous SSE approvals in principle.  During periods of SSE approval in principle, you should keep trying to fill the vacant positions with New Zealand citizens or residents.  You must not employ SSE workers to fill more positions than you were approved for.

If I’m an employer, how far ahead can I apply for a SSE approval in principle?

We will not be able to make a final decision on your application until one month before the work is due to begin.  This ensures that we use up-to-date labour market information when a decision is made.  However, we recommend you apply earlier than this, for example two months in advance of the start of the work.  This will give us time to assess the rest of your application so a quick decision can be made once we conduct a labour market test to check if there are suitable, available New Zealanders.  If you already have a relationship with your local Work and Income office and have made efforts to fill your vacancies through them, the labour market test process is likely to be quicker.

Where do I send my SSE application?

If you are an employer, and you are applying for a SSE approval in principle, then you must send your applications to the Recognised Seasonal Employer Unit:

Recognised Seasonal Employer Unit
Immigration New Zealand
PO Box 27149
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND

If you are a worker, and you are applying for a SSE work permit, then you must send your application to your local INZ branch.

Where do I get the application forms?

To access application forms see:

• Application for Supplementary Seasonal Employment Approval in Principle (INZ 1167) PDF
• Application for a Work Permit (under Supplementary  Seasonal Employment or Working Holidaymaker Extension Policies) (INZ 1153) PDF

What do I need to provide with my application?

If you are an employer you must provide:

• SSE approval in principle application form
• SSE approval in principle fee (NZ$180 per application)
• A sample employment agreement you will be giving SSE workers
• Information about your communication with your local Work and Income office 
• Any other information to support your application that’s requested in the application form.

If you want to work for an employer with SSE approval in principle you must provide:

• SSE work permit application form
• SSE work permit fee (NZ$200)
• Evidence of your outward ticket from New Zealand or sufficient funds to purchase one.

I’m an already an RSE employer – do I have to apply for a SSE approval in principle if I want to employ SSE workers?

Yes.  However since you have already provided us with a lot of information about your business, there are some sections of the application form that you will not have to complete.  The SSE approval in principle form contains instructions about what sections you can miss.

I’m an employer – how many people can I request to recruit using the SSE policy?

There is no set limit. We’ll need to check with Work and Income that there aren’t suitable and available New Zealand workers to fill these positions.

I’m an employer and I have been granted a SSE approval in principle, but now I need more workers.

You can make another application for SSE approval in principle, and you will need to submit another application form and pay the fee again.

I’d like to apply for a SSE work permit, what are the requirements?

To qualify for a SSE work permit, you must:

• be aged 18 or over,
• meet our health and character requirements,
• be in New Zealand,
• have not held a SSE work permit in the past or held a work permit under the previous Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer (TRSE) policy, and
• have not held any type of work permit (including a working holiday) since your most recent entry to New Zealand.

There are a limited number of places available for workers under SSE policy. The number of places reflects the total number of SSE approval in principle places. Your application cannot be approved if there are no remaining places when you apply. See if there are places available.

I hold a variation of conditions to my visitor permit to do seasonal work, can I apply for an SSE work permit?

Yes, your variation of conditions is not a work permit, so you are eligible under SSE policy.

Are there medical requirements I must meet before I can obtain an SSE permit?

It depends on the countries you have been to and how long you wish to spend in New Zealand in total (including any time you have already been here).  Applicants who have risk factors for TB will be required to provide a Temporary X Ray Certificate if they intend to remain in New Zealand for more than six months in total.  All applicants must complete a Medical and X Ray Certificate if they intend to remain in New Zealand for more than 12 months in total.

I have a SSE work permit and my partner and child would like to come to New Zealand to work and study. Are they eligible for a work permit or student permit because I am working here?

No. Partners and dependent children of SSE workers are not eligible for a work or student permit on the basis of their relationship with the SSE worker. Partners and dependent children of SSE workers will need to meet normal temporary entry policy requirements.

Where can I go for more information?

Employers can find out more about SSE and other seasonal policies on our Employ and Assist section. 

Workers can find out more about SSE and other work policies on our Apply and Settle section.