Applying for an Agreement to Recruit: process steps

Applying for your Agreement to Recruit (ATR)

1. 1

   Step 1: Check your Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) status and allocation

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

   Recognised Seasonal Employers list

   Before you apply for your ATR, you must also check that your covers the number of RSE workers you want to recruit.

   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 Engagement Partner at Immigration New Zealand.

2. 2

   Step 2: Check the ATR calendar

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

   Table: ATR calendar

   When you want workers to start	When to apply for an ATR
   Quarter 1 (July—September)	February
   Quarter 2 (October—December)	May
   Quarter 3 (January—March)	August
   Quarter 4 (April—June)	November

   You need to apply for your ATR 5 to 7 months before you want workers to arrive in New Zealand. This ensures:

   • we have enough time to process your ATR application
   • you have time to find and hire workers
   • we can process your workers' RSE Limited Visa applications in time for when you want your workers to start.

   Alert

   Your ATR may not get processed in time if you apply after the date in the calendar.

   If you need to know more about using the calendar, email the RSE Unit:
   RSEUnit@mbie.govt.nz

3. 3

   Step 3: Check you meet the ATR requirements

   As an RSE, you will need to agree to several requirements when you apply for an ATR.

   Agreement to Recruit requirements for Recognised Seasonal Employers

4. 4

   Step 4: Decide if you need to apply for a joint ATR

   A joint ATR is when RSE employers work together to recruit RSE workers.

   Joint ATRs can help when:

   • an employer does not have enough work for the whole time workers are in New Zealand
   • an employer needs more workers than their allocation allows
   • the timeframes work for both employers.

   All employers who work together in a joint ATR must:

   • follow the ATR application process
   • each fill in an ATR and pay for it
   • meet ATR requirements
   • provide ATR evidence.

   Note

   One employer must be responsible for bringing the workers into New Zealand. 

   If your application is a joint ATR

5. 5

   Step 5: Gather information for your application

   When you apply for an ATR, you need to:

   • contact your RSE contact for help with worker accommodation requirements
   • provide evidence and documents.

   Providing pastoral care and accommodation for RSE workers

   1. Gather your ATR evidence

   As an RSE, you need to provide additional evidence when you apply for an ATR. Check what evidence is required before you apply.

   Employer evidence for an Agreement to Recruit

   2. Sign a letter of guarantee

   You need to include a signed letter of guarantee in your application. The letter guarantees that you will pay a fixed amount of the repatriation costs for workers who break their visa conditions

   Evidence you agree to pay repatriation costs

   3. Create an employment agreement for your RSE workers

   Your ATR application must include a copy of the employment agreement you will give to your RSE worker.

   If this is a joint ATR, you must provide copies of worker employment agreements:

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

   Minimum requirements for RSE worker employment agreements

6. 6

   Step 6: Complete and send your ATR application

   1. 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,  

   1.3 MB

   2. 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

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

   If your application is a joint ATR

   For a joint ATR, you need to:

   • send all ATRs and supporting documents 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 the deductions are for, and
   • over what period the deductions are for.

   Find out more about deductions:

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

7. 7

   Step 7: We assess your ATR application

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

   If you are part of a joint ATR, we also check the employers in the joint ATR have enough in their RSE allocations.

   If we approve your ATR, we send you an approval letter.

   You can then:

   • start the next step of the recruitment process, which is recruiting and hiring RSE workers:
     Recruiting and hiring Recognised Seasonal Employer 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 New Zealand or the Labour Inspectorate may ask to audit your workplace.

   WorkSafe New Zealand