Supplementary Seasonal Employment

SUPPLEMENTARY SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT (SSE) WORK VISA

SSE work visa instructions allow employers in the horticulture and viticulture industry to

supplement their New Zealand workforce to meet the labour shortage for a specified region and period through SSE work visa holders.

Upon obtaining approval in principle (AIP), a New Zealand employer can offer seasonal employment to on-shore migrants for the purpose of planting, harvesting, or packing crops in the horticulture and viticulture industry.

Any onshore non-New Zealander who is on a visitor or study visa can apply for an SSE work visa.

Before applying for an SSE work visa, a New Zealand employer must:

• obtain SSE approval in principle
• be a genuine New Zealand employer
• establish a relationship with the appropriate regional MSD offices conerning their seasonal labour requirements
• take steps to employ suitable and available New Zealand citizen or residence-class visa-holder workers
• not have a history of non-compliance with immigration or employment laws
• ensure that workers have access to suitable accommodation for the duration of their employment
• specify a market rate in terms of a per-hour rate or a piece rate in the employment agreement

For an SSE work visa application, an applicant must:

• be 18 years or older
• already be in New Zealand on a student or visitor visa
• intends to work in the horticulture or viticulture industry
• hold bona fide intention to do seasonal work for an eligible employer
•  meet health and character requirements
• not have been granted SSE (or TRSE) work visa before
• not have held any type of work visa since their last entry to New Zealand
• have an air ticket to leave New Zealand or sufficient funds to purchase one

The SSE work visa is valid for up to 6 months and it does not include travel conditions. You can only be granted this visa once.