Seasonal work: the RSE scheme and seasonal visas

Which seasonal visa?

RSE: for workers

The RSE Limited Visa lets you work for a New Zealand fruit, vegetable or wine business for a season, then go home. You need a job offer from a Recognised Seasonal Employer before you apply.

RSE pay and conditions

Your employment agreement may include voluntary deductions and training. Read every deduction before you sign.

RSE: how to apply

1. Get a job offerDirectly from an RSE employer, through your government's work-ready pool, or through a licensed Pacific agent.
2. Sign your employment agreementOne for each RSE employer you'll work for.
3. Gather your documentsPassport, two photos, medical insurance evidence, and a chest X-ray and police certificate if they apply to you.
4. Apply from outside New ZealandUse form INZ 1142, often lodged through your Pacific agent, with the fee and levy. Approved visas arrive as an eVisa by email.
5. Arrive on timeUp to 14 days before your work start date, and no more than 14 days after. Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration before you fly.

Chest X-rays: people from low-TB countries such as Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu usually don't need one for stays of 12 months or less. Others do. Police certificates are needed if you're 17 or over and your total time in New Zealand will reach 24 months.

RSE: for employers

Horticulture and viticulture businesses can recruit Pacific workers through the RSE scheme once they've shown New Zealanders can't fill the work and they've tried to train and recruit locally.

1. Get RSE statusShow you meet INZ's requirements as a good employer, with evidence, on the RSE status application.
2. Receive your worker allocationINZ gives you an allocation number for the season (1 July to 30 June).
3. Apply for an Agreement to Recruit (ATR)Check the RSE calendar, gather documents, and apply. An ATR is needed each time you recruit.
4. Recruit and support visasWork with your RSE engagement partner, support each worker's visa application, and have your worker support package ready.

Workers already in New Zealand can only change employer or conditions with a new ATR, approved before they apply for a new RSE visa.

RSE changes coming

A 2026 review of the RSE scheme proposed changes, introduced in stages. These were proposals in a July 2026 Cabinet paper, so check INZ for what's confirmed.

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)

Open since 8 December 2025, for experienced workers in skilled seasonal roles. It sits under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework.

• Up to 3 years, with at least 3 months outside New Zealand each year
• At least 3 seasons in a relevant seasonal role in the past 6 years
• Your employer needs an approved job check for the seasonal role first
• No labour market test and no English requirement
• You can move to other visa types later

Example roles: agricultural and horticultural machinery operators, agricultural technicians, shearers, slaughterers, winemakers and senior cellar hands, snow sports instructors, snow groomers and snowmakers, chairlift operators, mountain and glacier guides, rafting guides, outdoor instructors, primary products inspectors, tulip growers and thoroughbred yearling preparers.

Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

Also open since 8 December 2025, for entry-level seasonal roles at peak times.

• Up to 7 months, then a 4-month break before you can apply again
• At least 1 season of relevant experience in the past 3 years
• Comprehensive health insurance; no English requirement
• Your employer must engage with or be endorsed by Work and Income

Example roles: mussel and oyster farming, calf rearing, relief milking, forestry, meat boning and processing, seafood processing, winery cellar hands and wool handling.

On both new visas you can't support a partner or children, and you can only change jobs within the same visa type. The role must be genuinely seasonal, not a permanent job.

Common mistakes and scams

• Fake job offers. Genuine RSE offers come from an RSE employer, your government's work-ready pool, or a licensed Pacific agent. Be very careful of anyone asking for money to "guarantee" a place.
• Applying from inside New Zealand. The RSE visa must be applied for from overseas.
• Overstaying. Leave before your visa expires. If it has expired, read what to do now.
• For employers: recruiting before the ATR is approved, or offering GWSV or PSV for a role that is really permanent.

Help for employers

Seasonal recruitment is paperwork-heavy and runs on tight harvest deadlines. We can take it off your hands each season.