Guide to New Zealand Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Visa

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Key Takeaways:

The New Zealand Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Visa allows temporary work in horticulture or viticulture sectors to address labor shortages.
Applicants must be 18+, in good health, of good character, currently in New Zealand on a Student or Visitor Visa.
Employers need Immigration New Zealand approval, requiring a form, fee payment, and adherence to consultation processes for seasonal employment.

Guide to New Zealand Supplementary Seasonal Employment SSE Visa

What is the New Zealand Supplementary Seasonal Employment Work Visa?

The New Zealand Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Visa is a temporary visa designed for foreign nationals who are already in New Zealand on a Student Visa or Visitor Visa and wish to work in the horticulture or viticulture sectors. This visa allows you to work with employers approved under the SSE or RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) schemes. The primary goal of this visa is to address labor shortages during peak seasons in these industries.

Who is Eligible for the NZ SSE Visa?

To qualify for the SSE visa, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. Here are the requirements you need to fulfill:

Age Requirement: You must be 18 years old or older.
Health Requirements: You must be in good health, which may involve submitting medical documentation.
Character Requirements: Applicants should have a good character, substantiated by a police certificate.
Genuine Intentions: You should genuinely intend to adhere to the visa conditions.
Current Visa Holders: You must already be in New Zealand, holding a Student Visa or Visitor Visa.
Employment Plans: You must plan to engage in seasonal work for an SSE-approved or RSE-approved employer.
Travel Plans: You should have a return ticket or enough funds to purchase one.
SSE/TRSE Visa History: You should not have been granted an SSE or TRSE work visa if you applied before December 31, 2022.

How Can an Employer Get SSE Approval for a Seasonal Work Visa?

If you are an employer seeking to hire temporary visa holders through the SSE visa scheme, you need to get approval from Immigration New Zealand. Below are the steps to get started:

Complete the Application Form: Employers must fill out the Supplementary Seasonal Employment Approval in Principle (INZ 1167) application form. Ensure all the information is accurate and filled out in English using capital letters.
Pay the Application Fee: The fee for this application is NZD $320, payable via Visa or MasterCard. Make sure you provide sufficient funds and fill out section M of the form with your bank card details.
Submit the Application: Send the completed application form and required documents to the address listed on the official Immigration New Zealand page for Supplementary Seasonal Employment Approval.
Await Response: Immigration New Zealand may consult other agencies and might ask for additional details. If approved, you’ll receive a formal notification detailing the validity of your accreditation.
Hire Workers: You can then offer jobs to overseas workers who are already in New Zealand on an SSE Work Visa until your Approval in Principle (AIP) expires or the maximum number of workers is reached.

What Documents Are Required for the NZ Seasonal Work Visa?

When applying for the SSE visa, you must prepare the following documents:

Identification Documents:
- Passport or a certified copy, valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure.
- Two recent passport-sized photos meeting New Zealand visa photo requirements.
Evidence of Good Health:
- You might need to submit an x-ray certificate or a medical examination report, especially for stays longer than six months.
Police Certificate:
- Provide a police certificate to prove good character, indicating whether you’ve been deported, excluded, or removed from any country.
Proof of Seasonal Work Intent:
- Examples include travel or accommodation documents in regions with SSE-approved employers, details of seasonal job opportunities, records of communication with Seasonal Labour Coordinators or SSE-approved employers.
A Return Ticket:
- Provide a return travel ticket or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one, such as bank or credit card statements.
Additional Proof:
- Evidence that you haven’t been granted an SSE or TRSE work visa before (unless you applied on or before December 31, 2022).
- Proof you are 18 or older.
- Proof you are currently in New Zealand.
- Proof you hold a valid Student or Visitor Visa.

What Are the Conditions and Validity of an SSE Visa?

Once granted the SSE visa, you must adhere to specific conditions:

Work Conditions: If granted before December 1, 2022, you can work only in roles related to planting, harvesting, maintaining, or packing crops for an SSE-approved employer for up to six months. You can also work for an RSE and any employer in certain roles specified by the Ministry of Social Development.
Study Conditions: You can study if authorized by your SSE employer, but any additional studies should not exceed three months in a one-year period.
Financial Conditions: You need to have enough funds for your entire stay.
Departure Conditions: You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.

The SSE visa is valid for six months, and if you wish to stay longer, you must apply for another type of New Zealand work visa. Note that this visa operates on a quota system, which changes annually.

How Do I Apply for the New Zealand Seasonal Work Visa?

If you meet the eligibility criteria and have all the required documents, follow these steps to apply for the SSE visa:

Complete the Application Form: Fill out the SSE/WHE Work Visa Application form using capital letters. Make sure to specify that you are applying for a Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) visa.
Prepare Supporting Documents: Gather all required documents, including the application form, supporting documents, and application fee.
Pay the Application Fee: Use a credit card to pay the fee by completing section J of the form, and providing your bank details for the transaction.
Submit the Application: Send your completed visa application to the address provided on the official website of the New Zealand Supplementary Seasonal Employment Work Visa.
You will receive an interim visa if your current visa expires before your SSE visa is granted.

What Are the Fees and Processing Time for an SSE Visa in New Zealand?

The fees for an SSE visa application vary depending on your country of application. As an example:

Application Fee: NZD $630 – $750
VAC Service Fee: NZD $45 – $75
Courier Fee: NZD $13 – $100

New Zealand visa fees are non-refundable. Since you will be applying from within New Zealand, your application will be given priority processing.

Can Family Members Be Included in an SSE Work Visa Application?

Unfortunately, your partner or dependent children cannot be included in your SSE Work Visa application. They will need to apply for separate visas if they wish to join you. Here are some visa options they could consider:

NZ Visitor Visa for Partner of a Worker
NZ Visitor Visa for Children of a Worker

External Resources for More Information

For more detailed and up-to-date information, you can visit the official Immigration New Zealand website.

Employers and individuals planning to apply for the SSE visa or seeking additional details about seasonal employment in New Zealand are encouraged to refer to these official resources to ensure compliance with the most current immigration laws and guidelines.

This guide provides a detailed overview of the New Zealand Supplementary Seasonal Employment Work Visa, from eligibility and application processes to required documentation and conditions. Whether you’re an employer looking to fill seasonal roles or a worker seeking new opportunities in New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture sectors, understanding these requirements will streamline your journey towards acquiring the SSE visa.

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Glossary of Specialized Immigration Terms

Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Visa:

A temporary visa that allows foreign nationals already in New Zealand on a Student or Visitor Visa to work in the horticulture and viticulture sectors. It is aimed at addressing labor shortages during peak seasons.
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme:

A program that designates employers who are allowed to hire overseas workers for seasonal jobs in the horticulture and viticulture sectors. Employers must be approved by Immigration New Zealand under this scheme.
Approval in Principle (AIP):

A preliminary approval granted by Immigration New Zealand to employers under the Supplementary Seasonal Employment scheme, allowing them to hire foreign workers for a specified period or until a set number of workers is reached.
Police Certificate:

An official document used to prove good character, indicating whether an applicant has any criminal records or has been deported, excluded, or removed from any country.
VAC Service Fee:

A fee charged by Visa Application Centers for services such as processing visa applications and handling documents. This fee is in addition to the standard visa application fee.

This Article In A Nutshell:

The NZ Supplementary Seasonal Employment Work Visa allows foreigners on Student or Visitor Visas in NZ to work in horticulture. Applicants must be at least 18, in good health, have genuine intentions, and be in NZ. Employers need approval for hiring, and applicants must submit various documents. The visa is valid for six months.
— By VisaVerge.com

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