New Zealand•OceaniaSupplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Visa
At a Glance
Processing Time
7-14 days
Application Fee
Free
Stay Duration
Up to 6 months
Renewable
Varies
Job Offer
Not Required
Dependents
Not Specified
PR Pathway
No
This visa does not offer a direct route to permanent residency.Remote Work
Not Required
Overview
Temporary seasonal work visa for people already in New Zealand on a valid visa (student or visitor) to work in horticulture or viticulture. Duration up to 6 months depending on seasonal requirements.
The Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Visa was established by Immigration New Zealand to address labor shortages within the horticulture and viticulture industries. It serves as a bridge for individuals already in New Zealand on temporary visas, particularly those finishing a Working Holiday Visa, allowing them to remain in the country to assist with seasonal demands such as planting, maintaining, harvesting, and packing crops. The visa is designed to ensure that perishable crops are managed when there are insufficient New Zealand citizens or residents available to perform the work.
This visa is ideal for young travelers and temporary residents who wish to extend their stay in New Zealand while earning income through manual outdoor labor. Unlike broader work visas, the SSE is strictly targeted at specific regions and roles where the Ministry of Social Development has identified a genuine labor shortfall. It provides a structured pathway for the 'backpacker' workforce to transition from general travel to focused seasonal employment without the complexities of the standard accredited employer schemes.
Annual Visa Allocation
1,150 visas per year
The annual cap is set at 1,150 places per year, running from July 1 to June 30. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
No lottery system
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Requirements
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid visa
Current student or visitor visa
Employment letter
From SSE employer
Passport
Proof of identity
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Advantages
- Extends legal stay for travelers already within New Zealand
- Lower application fees compared to standard Accredited Employer Work Visas
- No requirement for a specific job offer if applying during a declared regional labor shortage
- Faster processing times than most long-term work visa categories
- Provides a flexible transition for Working Holiday makers to continue earning
- Simplified evidence requirements for applicants already holding valid NZ temporary visas
Considerations
- Strictly limited to horticulture and viticulture industries
- Short-term duration with no option for further extension or renewal
- Geographic restrictions based on government-declared labor shortage zones
- Limited annual cap on the number of visas granted
Application Process
Secure job offer
From Supplementary Seasonal Employer
Complete application
SSE visa application form
Gather documents
Current visa, employment offer, passport
Submit application
Via employer or online system
Await decision
Usually 1-2 weeks
Application Forms
Supplementary Seasonal Employment Visa Application
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