Recognised Seasonal Employer status requirements for employers

Agreements you make when applying for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) status

Agreeing to site visits and contact with other agencies

When you sign your status application you agree to:

• the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment visiting your site to decide on your RSE status application and monitor compliance
• Immigration New Zealand contacting government organisations, unions, agencies and industry bodies to confirm your compliance with employment, health and safety, and immigration laws.

Applying for an Agreement to Recruit (ATR)

When you sign your RSE status application you agree to:

• ensure your RSE status is up to date before applying for an ATR
• provide a copy of the employment agreement you will offer RSE workers when you apply for an ATR.

Minimum requirements for RSE worker employment agreements

Recruiting RSE workers

When you sign your RSE status application you agree to:

• try and recruit New Zealanders for any positions before hiring from overseas
• list your available positions with Work and Income before applying for an ATR
• only use recruitment agents who will not charge your RSE worker
• ensure any contractor working with your RSE workers has good workplace practices
• ensure your RSE worker has full-time work while in New Zealand on their RSE Limited Visa either with you or in a joint agreement.

Providing pastoral care and accommodation

When you sign your RSE status application you agree to:

• set up a support package for RSE workers — this is called 'pastoral care'
• arrange suitable accommodation for the RSE workers — check if restrictions apply to you because of the region you are in
• give us details, if we ask, of any payments to you from RSE workers (including payments for airfares, accommodation and other pastoral care).

Providing pastoral care and accommodation for RSE workers

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

RSE worker suspensions, departure dates and repatriation costs

When you sign your RSE status application you agree to:

• tell Immigration New Zealand as soon as possible if you suspend or dismiss an RSE worker
• let us know the expected departure dates for your RSE workers once you have booked outward flights for them
• pay us any repatriation costs.

Employer evidence required for an Agreement to Recruit

Agreeing to the requirements

If you agree to the requirements, you can apply for RSE status.

Applying and reapplying for Recognised Seasonal Employer status: process steps