SSE work visas may only be granted to people who are in New Zealand, and will be granted for no longer than six months.

There are a limited number of places available for workers under the SSE category. The number of places reflects the number of approved SSE Approval in Principle places. Your application cannot be approved if there are no remaining places when you apply. You can check if places are available.

Successful SSE work visa applicants may work for any employer who holds a current SSE Approval in Principle. Contact a Seasonal Labour Co-ordinator to find out whether there are any available positions.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for a visa under this category if you:

• are aged 18 or over
• meet our health* and character requirements
• hold a return ticket to your home country, or provide evidence of sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket
• are genuine in your intention to work for an SSE-approved employer, and
• are in New Zealand.

* Applicants who have risk factors for TB will be required to provide an X-ray certificate for temporary entry 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.

You will only be granted an SSE work visa if you can satisfy an immigration officer that you genuinely intend to work for an SSE-approved employer. Evidence you may provide to demonstrate this intention includes, but is not limited to:

• a job offer from an SSE-approved employer,
• arrangements for travel to or accommodation in regions where SSE employers are located,
• evidence of the horticulture and viticulture work you intend to complete, such as information on SSE employers, crops and regions or a harvest trail plan,
• correspondence with the relevant region’s seasonal coordinator(s) to obtain information on SSE employers, or
• evidence of contact with SSE employer(s) whose details are available on the List of employers approved under Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE).

You must show that an SSE-approved employer has a position for you.  Given the seasonal nature of these positions, employers do not always have positions for all the SSE workers they have been approved for.

Who is not eligible?

You are not eligible if you have held:

• an SSE work visa (or permit under the 1987 Immigration Act) at any time, or
• a work visa (or permit under the 1987 Immigration Act) under the previous Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer (TRSE) category at any time, or
• any type of work visa (or permit under the 1987 Immigration Act), including a working holiday, during your current stay in New Zealand.

How do I apply?

If you think you are eligible you may:

• fill in the SSE/WHE Work Visa Application (INZ 1153) PDF 
• make sure you enclose the work visa application fee 
• provide evidence of your outward ticket or evidence of sufficient funds to purchase a ticket
• provide evidence of your intention to work for an SSE-approved employer
• make sure you enclose a completed X-ray certificate for temporary entry or a medical and X-ray certificate if you need one, and
• send the application to the nearest Immigration New Zealand branch to where you will be working. For example, if you have obtained a job offer from an SSE-approved employer in Central Otago, you must lodge your application with the Dunedin branch.

Conditions of SSE work visas

SSE work visa holders are subject to the condition that they must be employed to plant, maintain, harvest or pack crops by an employer who holds a SSE approval in principle.

SSE work visas will not include travel conditions.