The Seasonal Work Visa (also called Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa) is an opportunity offered by the government of New Zealand to migrant workers to work temporarily in the New Zealand horticulture and viticulture sectors. The visa aims at dealing with shortages in labor in farms, orchards and vineyards during the peak seasons when local labor is inadequate to support demand. The program does not only assist the New Zealand agriculture sector but also assists the employees of the participating nations to acquire a good experience, generate income and enhance cultural exchange. This all-encompassing blog will address all aspects of the New Zealand Seasonal Work Visa in 2025 such as the eligibility criteria, stepwise application process, the documents required, benefits, and the frequently asked questions as well.
What’s the New Zealand Seasonal work visa?
New Zealand Seasonal work Visa allows one to journey and work within the usa briefly to complete seasonal jobs like picking of culmination, pruning, planting, harvesting, and packing of fruits. It belongs to the regarded Seasonal corporation (RSE) scheme of recent Zealand that lets in linking overseas people with licensed employers inside the horticulture and viticulture industries. The visa is a transient one, that is, the workers are allowed to work in New Zealand seasonally however at the expiry in their agreement they need to cross lower back to their home country.
Intention of the Seasonal Work Visa
The primary aim of the Seasonal Work Visa is to address the shortage of labor in the major agricultural industries at the peak harvesting periods. It makes sure that the industries of horticulture, viticulture have sufficient labor force to sustain the productivity and provide the foreign workers with the opportunity to obtain working experience in New Zealand.
Major Advantages of New Zealand Seasonal Work Visa
The Seasonal Work Visa has a series of benefits to the applicants, which include:
- Permission to work in New Zealand under an established employer.
- Prospect to acquire practical knowledge in agriculture and farming.
- Having been exposed to the culture and work environment of New Zealand.
- Ability to come back in subsequent seasons in case one is hired again under the scheme.
- Availability of quality working conditions and defense by the labor laws of New Zealand.
- Opportunity to make and save money at the working season.
Who is Eligible for the Seasonal Work Visa?
The Seasonal Work Visa normally applies to the citizens of certain countries with New Zealand accords. Depending on bilateral agreements, the list of eligible countries can vary every year. But to be qualified, there are conditions that an applicant has to fulfill:
- Should possess a recognized seasonal employer (RSE).
- Should be of a proper health and character as prescribed by the Immigration New Zealand.
- Should have a future intention to work and go back home when the job is over.
- Should not have acted as an illegal immigrant or breached New Zealand immigration regulations in the past.
Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE)
This program can only allow employers who are permitted by Immigration New Zealand through the RSE scheme to hire workers. Such employers have to prove that they have employed all serious efforts by trying to hire local workers first. After approval, RSEs have the capacity to hire foreign employees on temporary basis in order to bridge the labor shortage in its operations.
Industries that are covered by the RSE Scheme
It is mainly the horticulture and viticulture industries in New Zealand when it comes to the Seasonal Work Visa. Typical employment on this scheme is:
- Raising and picking fruit.
- Planting and pruning.
- Grading and sorting, packing of produce.
- Sustenance of vineyards and orchards.
- The other temporary agricultural activities.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply to the Seasonal Work Visa, the applicants have to have the following in order to be eligible:
- Origin of the first instance: Be an eligible country which is a participant in the RSE scheme.
- Classes Be male, physically fit and healthy to do manual labor.
- Possess a valid passport that is good within a period of at least six months depending on the planned residence.
- Be a confirmed job offer of a Recognised Seasonal Employer.
- Concur to move out of New Zealand on expiry of visa.
- Indicate evidence of availability of adequate funds to cover initial expenses.
- Possess trip back flight tickets or evidence that they can buy them.
Required Documents
The following documents need to be prepared by the applicants when seeking this visa into the country:
- Legal travel document/ passport.
- The newest passport-size photographs.
- The application form with the visa obtained.
- Letter of employment of a Recognised Seasonal Employer.
- Contract that spells out job terms of work and term.
- Medical test and chest X-ray certificates.
- Police character clearance certificate.
- Evidence of having adequate funds to live.
- Return flight ticket and evidence that can be used to purchase one.
- Evidence of land or address in community country.
- Travel insurance (not compulsory, but advisable).
- Any type of document that does not have English should be translated by certified translators.
Also Check: Australia Hiring with Work Visa Sponsorship Nov 2025 (AUD 38 Per Hour)
Step By Step Visa Application Process
Follow the steps below to get the visa
Step 1: Obtain an Offer of employment with a recognised Seasonal employer
The initial process in filing an application under a Seasonal Work Visa is to obtain a job offer under an approved employer of the RSE. The employment of foreign workers is in the hands of the employers who have to recruit them on conditions of their labor demands. They normally work with recruitment agencies within countries that are eligible to identify the suitable people.
Step 2: Accept Employment Contract
Upon the confirmation of the job offer, the employer then gives an employment agreement stating the job including the place of work, the day of commencement, day of termination, accommodation, and remunerations. Sign an agreement only after reading it so as to know your rights and responsibility.
Step 3: Acquiring the essential documents
Accumulate all of the required files according to visa necessities, process solution, passport, health certificate and police clearance. ensure that it is up to date and accurate.
Step 4: Filling in Visa Application
Apply online in the portal of Immigration New Zealand or apply via a paper based process in case there is no online application available in your country. Complete all information correctly, personal information, work details and travel dates.
Step 5: Pay Visa Application fee
Successful completion of your application to make the necessary payment to get your visa processed by the methods available. Have a receipt of payment.
Step 6: Use Biometrics (when necessary)
Citizens of some nations will be required to submit biometric data in the form of fingerprints as well as photos. Instructions of where and how to submit biometrics will be given by the Immigration New Zealand.
Step 7: Wait for Visa Decision
After you have posted your application, the Immigration New Zealand will examine your documents and your job offer. They also can call you or your employer to inquire further.
Step 8: Wait for the approval of Visa
In case your visa is granted, you’ll be issued with a digital visa or with a visa label to your passport. You may then do your plans to New Zealand as in line with your start date inside the process.
Step 9: Begin Working with Your Employer
Once there, report to your employer exactly as stipulated in your employment agreement. You have to work with the Recognised Seasonal Employer that is mentioned on your visa. One should not perform any other work without getting the consent of any other employer.
Step 10: Go back Home at the Expiry of Visa Period
Upon the completion of your work contract you will be expected to go away from New Zealand. Lack of that may affect subsequent visa applications. The performances of some workers can bring them back to work later in future seasons provided that their performance is satisfactory.
Period of Seasonal Work Visa
The New Zealand Seasonal Work Visa does not exceed seven months in a span of 11 months. The real time is however dependent on the employment agreement and the seasonal demand. Employees would be required to move out of New Zealand at the expiry of a visa.
Requirements of the Seasonal Work Visa
The visa is limited to some terms, which are obligatory to be observed:
- You are allowed to work only with the employer mentioned in your visa.
- None of this non seasonal work or other unrelated work shall be taken by you.
- You cannot drag dependent relations with you.
- Your visa will expire and you will have to leave New Zealand.
- Health insurance is required at your place of stay.
Living Arrangements and Accommodation
Recognised Seasonal Employers have the duty of providing appropriate accommodation to their employees. They can either offer accommodation or help in getting cheap accommodation close to the workplace. All employers should also provide safe working and living environments to the employees.
Employee Rights and Responsibilities of Labor
The New Zealand labor laws protect the seasonal workers in the country thus providing fair treatment and equal pay. The employers should give out job contracts, a safe working environment, and frequent breaks. The workers are also provided with health and safety services during their career.
Health and Character Requirements
New Zealand health and character requirements must be satisfied by all the applicants. This includes:
- Going through a medical check and X-ray of the chest (when needed).
- Producing certificates of police clearance in the countries where they have resided not less than 12 months in the past decade.
- Persons with severe illnesses or criminals can be refused entry.
Common Reasons of Rejection
- Running in with incomplete or wrong information.
- Furnishing falsified or indistinct documents.
- Failure to get a job offer by a Recognised Seasonal Employer.
- Failure to comply with health and character standards.
- Staying beyond the lapse of time.
FAQ’s
Is it possible to move employers in New Zealand?
No you just can be employed with the Recognised Seasonal Employer stated in your visa unless Immigration New Zealand approves an employer change.
Am I allowed to carry over my family members?
No, a Seasonal Work Visa does not have accompanying dependents with the worker.
How many days is this visa good in New Zealand?
The visa validity extends to a period of not more than seven months in 11 months.
Is it possible to receive another visa after the seasonal work?
Your visa will expire and you have to leave New Zealand in the majority of situations. You are however welcome to re-apply to future seasons when invited by an RSE employer.
Am I required to possess special qualifications towards seasonals?
It does not require any formal qualifications but you need to be physically fit and ready to work the manual labor.
Can I study while on this visa?
The Seasonal Work Visa is work based. Under this visa, studying is not allowed.
What is the age constraint of this visa?
You have to be aged 18 years old to apply. No age limit is that much though you should be in good physical shape to engage in physical labor.
Sum Up
The New Zealand Seasonal Work Visa is a superb chance for those who want to find a temporary job with a chance of a working experience abroad in one of the most beautiful and the most agricultural rich nations in the world. It contributes to the economic development of the country and it helps sustain the population of the employees of member countries. To have a comfortable and successful journey of visa, it is sufficient to know the requirements you should meet, get ready to present the necessary documents, and prepare to take all these steps one after another.