Border Exception for Dairy Farm Staff

The government will grant border exceptions for 200 dairy farm workers and their families – 150 herd managers or assistant farm managers and 50 farm assistants.

It may take at least 3 months from when the application is made to DairyNZ before the migrant worker will be available to work on farm. There are a number of criteria that have to be fulfilled by the employer and employee. If the demand exceeds 200 workers, a process for prioritization has been put in place.

How to apply

1. Download the Dairy class border exception application & checklist and the Confirmation of commitment to pay MIQ costs forms here.
2. Fill out all the requested information
3. Email completed forms and required supporting documentation to immigration@dairynz.co.nz

The application and approval will be handled by DairyNZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries. The visa process will be handled by Immigration New Zealand.

All the criteria and details such as cost and time lines can be found here.

Please contact our office if you have any questions or if we can assist you with the process.