Hiring migrants for 2024/25 seasonal peaks
You may be able to hire migrants for a seasonal peak if you are an accredited employer and the role you are hiring for meets our definition of seasonal activity.
On 15 August 2024 the Government announced a new subcategory of the Specific Purpose Work Visa. This subcategory will provide short-term relief to employers in industries with seasonal peaks.
The subcategory is open now and available to accredited employers who are hiring migrants for roles that meet our definition of seasonal activity.
Any role you are hiring for must:
- be paid at least NZD$29.66 per hour
- be for at least 30 hours per week, and
- start on or before 31 May 2025.
The migrant you are hiring must also have at least 4 months experience in a role with the same tasks or responsibilities as the one you are offering them.
Roles covered by the subcategory
Roles covered by this subcategory can include, but are not limited to:
- rural contractors who are required for harvest seasons as the timing of harvests is weather dependent
- ski instructors and snow groomers who are required once there is sufficient snow for the ski season to open
- wine makers who are required once grapes are ready for harvest
- tree planting as there is a narrow time window for successful planting that is weather dependent, and
- jet boat or bungee operators who only operate in warmer seasons.
Roles not covered by the subcategory
Roles cannot include:
- planting, maintaining, harvesting and packing crops in the horticulture and viticulture industries
- work not directly related to the seasonal activity (for example, a barista or waitperson working in a ski field restaurant)
- permanent roles that are prompted by a seasonal peak (for example, dairy farm workers who enter New Zealand ahead of the calving season), or
- working as part of a foreign crew of a fishing vessel.
Application process
Employer advertises the role
You must advertise the role for at least 2 weeks on a national listing website where suitable New Zealanders are likely to apply.
You must provide evidence of the job listing that clearly shows the platform advertised on, dates of the listing, location of role and job description.
Employer finds migrant worker
If you are not successful in finding a New Zealander to fill the role, you can offer the role to a migrant instead. You must provide them with an offer of employment.
The migrant you are hiring must have at least 4 months experience in a role with the same tasks or responsibilities as the one you are offering them.
Employer completes Employer Supplementary Form
Download and complete the Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113) and provide it to the migrant.
Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113) PDF 487KB
You must also provide them with evidence that you advertised the role, for them to include with their application.
Migrant applies for the visa
Migrant worker completes a Specific Purpose Work Visa application.
We process the application
We processes the application and provide the migrant with a decision.
Check the Specific Purpose Work Visa page for more information about current processing times for this visa.
Help for employers
The employer line is open between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Freephone from NZ landlines: