Apply for an agreement to recruit

Application process for an ATR

1. 1

   Step 1: Contact us about worker accommodation requirements

   Before completing your ATR, get in touch with your contact for help with worker accommodation requirements.

2. 2

   Step 2: Check your RSE allocation

   You must have enough RSE allocation for your ATR.

   If you have used your allocation, or you need more, you can work with another employer in a

   Note

   You must keep within your approved allocation unless you are part of a joint ATR. For advice on joint ATRs, contact your RSE relationship manager at Immigration New Zealand.

3. 3

   Step 3: Check the ATR calendar

   Decide on when you want workers to start with you, then check the ATR calendar to see when to apply for your ATR.

   Agreement to Recruit calendar for RSE employers

4. 4

   Step 4: Make sure your RSE status is up to date

   You must have RSE status before you can apply for an ATR. Check your status using the RSE list:

   Recognised Seasonal Employer list

5. 5

   Step 5: Check you can meet the ATR requirements

   Agreement to Recruit (ATR) requirements for Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE)

6. 6

   Step 6: Gather your ATR evidence

   Employer evidence required for an Agreement to Recruit (ATR)

7. 7

   Step 7: Sign a letter of guarantee

   You need to include a signed letter of guarantee in your application. It is your agreement to pay a fixed amount of repatriation costs for workers who break their visa conditions.

   Pay repatriation costs to send RSE workers home

8. 8

   Step 8: Copy the employment agreement

   Send with your application a copy of the employment agreement you will give to your overseas worker. 

   If this is a we need copies of worker employment agreements:

   • from each employer
   • showing consecutive employment dates across the employment agreements.

   Minimum requirements for Recognised Seasonal Employer agreements

9. 9

   Step 9: Fill in and send your ATR application

   Fill in the ATR application form — each employer in a joint ATR will need to fill in their own ATR.

   Application for an Agreement to Recruit (INZ 1141)

   pdf,  

   1.6 MB

   Search for 'Agreement to Recruit' in our fees finder for the application cost and how long it takes to process.

   Fees, decision times and where to apply

   Post your ATR application form and supporting documents to the address on the application form.

   What to do if this is a joint agreement

   For joint ATRs:

   • • all ATRs and supporting documents need to be sent together
     • tell us who the main employer is, as they are responsible for bringing the workers into New Zealand
     • the RSE Labour Inspectorate will send a Joint Agreement Deduction Check form to the main employer to complete. The form confirms who the
     • main employer is, the amount of deductions, what they are for, and over what period.

   Agreeing to voluntary pay deductions when you work on an RSE visa

10. 10

    Step 10: We assess your ATR application

    We assess your ATR application and decide if we can approve it.

    We also check the employers in the joint ATR have enough in their RSE allocations. 

    If we approve your ATR

    If we approve your ATR you:

    • can start the next step of the recruitment process, which is recruiting and hiring RSE workers:

    Recruit and hire RSE workers

    • keep a note of the ATR number on your approval letter — it goes on your worker's visa application and ensures the correct conditions are on the visa.

    Note

    WorkSafe NZ or the Labour Inspectorate may ask to audit your workplace.

    WorkSafe New Zealand website