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The Government has agreed to a seafood sector agreement for migrant workers that covers the following:

  • Fishing crew work visa
  • Land-based seafood process workers

The conditions under the agreement include a cap on the number of migrant workers for each category as follows;

  • Fishing crew work visa – 940 cap.
  • Land based seafood process worker – 600 cap.

Seafood New Zealand facilitates the allocation process which opens in the beginning of September each year.

To register your interest in being kept informed of the agreement and allocation process, please email [email protected]

Details of the seafood sector agreement, the process for allocation, the conditions, and the Government’s expectations, can be found here:

2023 Seafood Sector Agreement Information

Mid-Year Re-allocation

MBIE provide an opportunity to re-allocate places mid way through the year.  Seafood New Zealand will put out a call for expressions of interest around March/April 2024.  Priority will be given to those operators who did not receive an initial allocation at 1 November 2023, and then to those who had their allocation reduced due to over-subscription.

Further Information

For further information or advice regarding the immigration process and becoming an accredited employer please see https://www.immigration.govt.nz/.

For all other enquiries, contact Cathy Webb.