SSE — Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Work Visa

Working Holiday

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

NZD $1,355

Stay Duration

Up to 6 months

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

One-off 6-month work visa for visitors and students already in New Zealand to do seasonal horticulture or viticulture work for an SSE-approved employer.

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.

Cost Breakdown

Work visa application fee (Band C — rest of world)NZD $295

Immigration levyNZD $1,060

TotalNZD $1,355

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be aged 18 years or older.

Must already be in New Zealand on a current student or visitor visa (work visa holders are not qualifying).

Must genuinely intend to do seasonal work (planting, maintaining, harvesting or packing crops) for an SSE-approved employer in the horticulture or viticulture industry.

Must have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.

Must have an onward ticket to leave New Zealand or sufficient funds to buy one.

Must meet health requirements (chest X-ray or medical exam may be requested).

Must be of good character; police certificates required if total time in NZ will be 24 months or longer.

Must not have previously been granted an SSE or TRSE work visa.

Passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure date.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport.

Acceptable passport-sized photos.

Evidence of a job offer from an SSE-approved employer.

Evidence of sufficient funds or an outward ticket.

Police certificates (if total time in NZ will be 24 months or longer).

Chest X-ray certificate (if required).

Completed application form (INZ 1153).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Lets visitor and student visa holders already in NZ take paid seasonal work without leaving the country
Single application fee from NZD 1,355 with no employer sponsorship paperwork for the applicant
Priority processing workstream — handled faster than standard work-visa categories
Up to 6 months of full-time work in horticulture or viticulture for an SSE-approved employer
Authorised study or training of up to 3 months in any 12-month period alongside the work
No formal English language test or minimum income requirement

Worth Knowing

Must already be in New Zealand on a current visitor or student visa (work visa holders not qualifying)
Work is restricted to planting, maintaining, harvesting or packing crops for an SSE-approved employer
Police certificates required if total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more across all visits
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure date
One-off only — cannot be granted if you have previously held an SSE or TRSE work visa
Partners and children cannot be included on the application and must apply for their own visas
No pathway to permanent residency and cannot be renewed or extended