Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited Visa
Seasonal work in horticulture and viticulture under an annual cap.
Official New Zealand pageWho this route is for
Overseas workers recruited by Recognised Seasonal Employers for seasonal horticulture and viticulture work when local workers are unavailable.
Eligibility requirements
- Be recruited by an employer with RSE status under an Agreement to Recruit (ATR)
- Work only in the horticulture or viticulture sectors
- Work the guaranteed minimum hours offered (around 30 hours/week on average)
- Stay within the annual scheme cap and visa conditions
Requirements reviewed July 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.
Recent changes & caveats
The cap rose to 20,750 for the 2024-25 season (from 19,500); the 2025-26 figure may be updated near the season start. Workers cannot apply directly without an RSE employer.
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