New Zealand Lists 13 Countries for Seasonal Work Visa

New Zealand has released the complete list of 13 countries whose citizens are eligible for the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited Visa, a short-term work permit specifically for the horticulture and viticulture sectors. This visa allows holders to enter New Zealand briefly to work in farming and wine-growing industries.

The government clarifies that the visa does not permit year-round residency and is strictly intended for seasonal agricultural labor. The 13 eligible countries include the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

All these nations are Pacific Island countries, reflecting New Zealand's longstanding labor agreements with its Pacific neighbors. Citizens from countries outside this list, including those from Africa, Asia, and Europe, do not qualify for this visa.