SSE — Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Visa

The Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Visa is a one-off Immigration New Zealand permit letting visitor or student visa holders already in NZ do seasonal horticulture or viticulture work for an SSE-approved employer during peak planting, picking and packing. Applicants must be 18+, hold a current visitor or student visa, and meet INZ health, character and genuine-intent standards.

Granted for up to 6 months from approval, the visa cannot be extended, renewed, or held by anyone previously granted an SSE or TRSE visa. Work is limited to planting, maintaining, harvesting or packing crops for an SSE-approved employer. The fee is from NZD 1,355 and INZ processes SSE on a priority workstream. Partners and children must apply separately; no residency pathway.

This visa is ideal for visitor or student visa holders already in New Zealand wanting short-term, lawful paid work in a horticulture or viticulture peak season with an SSE-approved employer.