New Zealand has opened applications for two groundbreaking seasonal work visas that promise to transform how international workers access opportunities in the country’s agriculture, horticulture, and tourism sectors. The visas launched on December 8, 2025, offering streamlined pathways for both experienced seasonal professionals and entry-level workers seeking temporary employment during peak periods.
Understanding New Zealand’s New Seasonal Work Framework
The introduction of the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) represents a significant shift in New Zealand’s approach to managing seasonal labor shortages. These visas operate under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework but feature specialized requirements designed specifically for industries experiencing predictable seasonal demand fluctuations.
Industries across New Zealand have struggled with labor shortages during critical periods, particularly in agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, seafood processing, meat production, and tourism. The new visa categories aim to address these gaps while maintaining robust immigration controls.
Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV): The Long-Term Option
Who Should Apply for the GWSV?
The GWSV targets highly experienced seasonal workers who have demonstrated consistent performance in their field. This pathway is designed for workers with at least three seasons of relevant experience within the past six years, making it ideal for professionals who have built careers around seasonal work patterns.
Key Features and Benefits
Visa Duration: Up to 36 months (3 years)
Major Advantage: Employers do not need to advertise the role in New Zealand or show they have tried to hire a New Zealander before recruiting internationally. This eliminates the labor market test requirement, significantly speeding up the hiring process.
Experience Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate at least three seasons of work in a similar role over the past six years. This can be proven through employer reference letters, payslips, tax documents, work rosters, or completion certificates.
Geographic Flexibility: Visa holders must spend at least three months outside New Zealand each year. This requirement ensures the visa is used for genuinely seasonal work rather than permanent employment.
No Language Testing: Unlike many other work visas, the GWSV does not require applicants to pass English language proficiency tests, reducing barriers for qualified workers.
Health and Character Checks: Because GWSV visas are granted for 36 months, full medical and character checks are required regardless for all applicants. This includes providing valid police certificates and medical examinations.
GWSV Eligible Occupations
The visa covers a range of skilled seasonal positions across multiple industries:
- Agriculture & Horticulture: Agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operators, agricultural technicians (such as sheep or animal pregnancy scanners), calf rearers, relief milkers
- Forestry: Various forestry worker roles
- Seafood & Aquaculture: Mussel and oyster farm workers, seafood processing staff
- Meat Processing: Meat boners, slicers, and other specialized processing roles
- Viticulture: Winery cellar hands, wool handlers
Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV): The Short-Term Solution
Who Should Consider the PSV?
The PSV is designed for workers with less experience or those seeking shorter assignments during peak seasonal periods. Applicants need at least one season of work experience in the same or similar job in the last three years, making it more accessible to newer workers in seasonal industries.
Essential PSV Requirements
Visa Duration: Up to 7 months
Labor Market Test Required: Unlike the GWSV, employers must advertise the role in New Zealand and show they have tried to hire a New Zealander before recruiting internationally. Employers must also engage with Work and Income in good faith or obtain PSV endorsement.
Experience Threshold: One season of relevant experience within the past three years is sufficient, providing opportunities for workers earlier in their seasonal careers.
Stand-Down Period: Once you have spent 7 months in New Zealand on a Peak Seasonal Visa, you must spend at least 4 months outside New Zealand before you can be granted another Peak Seasonal Visa. This ensures the visa serves its intended short-term purpose.
Health Insurance Mandatory: If the job runs longer than 3 months, comprehensive health insurance is required. Coverage must include primary care, emergency services, hospitalization, specialist treatment, prescription medications, rehabilitation, follow-up care, and medical evacuation or repatriation.
No Family Sponsorship: You cannot include your partner or dependent children in your application, as this is strictly a worker-only visa category.
PSV Eligible Jobs
The Peak Seasonal Visa covers entry-level and lower-skilled positions that experience significant demand fluctuations:
- Harvest workers in horticulture and viticulture
- Fruit pickers and packers
- Vineyard laborers
- Agricultural assistants
- Seasonal tourism and hospitality roles
- Ski industry workers
- Seafood processing assistants
- Forestry laborers
Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Secure a Job Offer
Before applying for either visa, you must obtain a formal job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer. The employer must hold current AEWV accreditation and have an approved job check specifically for seasonal visa positions.
Your employment agreement must clearly specify:
- Start and end dates of employment
- Hourly pay rate (meeting minimum wage requirements)
- Guaranteed hours per week
- Specific work location
- Nature of the seasonal work
2. Gather Required Documentation
Proof of Seasonal Experience:
- Employer reference letters on company letterhead
- Payslips or payment records
- Tax documents showing seasonal employment
- Work rosters or schedules
- Training certificates or qualifications
Evidence of Seasonal Work Pattern:
- For GWSV: Documentation proving you can spend three months outside New Zealand annually
- For PSV: Evidence of the four-month stand-down period between applications
- Travel records, itineraries, or employer confirmations
Health Insurance (PSV only for roles over 3 months):
- Complete policy certificate
- Benefit summary showing comprehensive coverage
- Translated documents if not in English
- Proof of coverage for entire employment period
Standard Immigration Documents:
- Valid passport (at least 3 months beyond intended stay)
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Medical examination results
- Police certificates from countries lived in for 12+ months over the past 10 years
- Any additional forms requested by Immigration New Zealand
3. Submit Your Application
Your employer must send you a link to the online application form. Applications are submitted digitally through the Immigration New Zealand portal. Ensure all documents are complete before submission, as incomplete applications may face delays or refusal.
4. Processing and Decision
Immigration New Zealand will assess your application against all visa criteria. Processing times vary depending on application volume, completeness of documentation, and whether additional information is required.
If you’re already in New Zealand on another visa when you apply, you may be granted an interim visa allowing you to continue working while your seasonal visa application is processed.
Critical Requirements You Cannot Ignore
Accredited Employer Requirement
Both visas can only be granted based on job offers from employers who hold current AEWV accreditation. If your prospective employer is not accredited, they must complete the accreditation process before you can apply. This requirement ensures employers meet compliance standards for employment and immigration law.
Employment Agreement Standards
Your employment agreement must meet New Zealand’s employment standards and cannot contain unacceptable bonding clauses—provisions requiring you to repay money to your employer if you leave within a specified timeframe. Agreements failing to meet these standards will result in visa decline.
Seasonal Nature Verification
Immigration New Zealand verifies that positions genuinely fit the seasonal definition. The agency examines job duration, alignment with industry peak seasons, and whether the role could reasonably be filled by permanent staff. Attempts to use seasonal visas for ongoing positions may result in application refusal and potential consequences for the employer’s accreditation.
What These Visas Don’t Offer
No Pathway to Residence
These seasonal visas are explicitly temporary and do not lead to permanent residence. They’re designed to fill short-term labor needs, not to facilitate long-term immigration.
No Dependent Visas
Neither the GWSV nor PSV allows you to sponsor partners or dependent children. Family members cannot obtain visas based on your seasonal work visa status.
Limited Job Mobility
Visa holders under both pathways can only change jobs within the same visa type. Switching to a different seasonal role requires a new job check and visa variation application through your new employer.
Financial Considerations
Wages and Working Conditions
All positions must meet New Zealand’s minimum wage requirements. Current minimum wage rates apply, and employers must guarantee sufficient hours to provide stable income during the season.
Accommodation Costs
If your employer provides accommodation, any deductions from your wages must be for actual, reasonable, and verifiable expenses. You have rights under New Zealand employment law regarding accommodation quality and cost transparency.
Health Insurance Costs
For PSV holders in roles exceeding three months, you must arrange and pay for comprehensive health insurance covering your entire employment period. Factor this cost into your financial planning, as it can be significant.
Tips for a Successful Application
Start Early
Begin gathering documentation well before you plan to apply. Obtaining reference letters, police certificates, and medical examinations can take weeks or months.
Be Precise with Evidence
Immigration New Zealand requires clear, verifiable evidence for all claims. Generic or vague documentation will not suffice. Ensure reference letters specifically mention your job duties, dates of employment, and seasonal nature of work.
Verify Employer Accreditation
Before accepting a job offer, confirm your prospective employer holds current AEWV accreditation and has an approved job check for seasonal visa positions. Working with a non-accredited employer will result in automatic visa decline.
Understand the Commitment
For GWSV applicants, ensure you can genuinely commit to spending three months outside New Zealand annually for up to three years. For PSV applicants, plan for the four-month stand-down period between visa terms.
Keep Records
Maintain comprehensive records of all your seasonal work, including contracts, payslips, and employer contacts. These will be valuable for future applications and demonstrating your experience history.
Why New Zealand Introduced These Visas
These visas are designed to help accredited employers bring in workers for short-term roles driven by seasonal environmental peaks, while maintaining fair and consistent immigration settings. The government recognizes that certain industries experience predictable labor shortages during specific periods each year.
The new pathways balance several competing priorities:
- Ensuring New Zealanders have first access to available jobs (through labor market tests where required)
- Providing employers with timely access to needed workers
- Maintaining immigration system integrity
- Supporting industries critical to New Zealand’s economy
- Preventing exploitation of temporary workers
Industry Impact
Industries most likely to benefit from these visas include:
Horticulture and Viticulture: New Zealand’s wine, kiwifruit, and apple exports depend heavily on seasonal labor during harvest and processing periods.
Tourism and Hospitality: Ski resorts, summer tourism destinations, and holiday accommodation providers experience dramatic seasonal demand fluctuations.
Agriculture: Dairy farming, sheep farming, and other agricultural operations require additional workers during birthing seasons and peak production periods.
Seafood Processing: Fishing and aquaculture industries operate on seasonal cycles tied to marine life patterns and regulatory fishing seasons.
Forestry: Logging, silviculture, and forest management activities often concentrate during specific weather-appropriate periods.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Insufficient Experience Documentation: Vague or incomplete evidence of seasonal work history is a leading cause of application decline. Provide detailed, dated documentation.
- Misunderstanding Stand-Down Requirements: Attempting to apply for a new visa without completing required time outside New Zealand will result in automatic refusal.
- Inadequate Health Insurance: For PSV roles over three months, basic travel insurance is insufficient. Coverage must be comprehensive and specifically meet Immigration New Zealand requirements.
- Incomplete Police Certificates: Submit complete police certificates, not just proof of application. Partial submissions cause significant delays.
- Employer Accreditation Assumptions: Never assume your employer is accredited. Verify their status directly through Immigration New Zealand before beginning the application process.
Future Outlook
The introduction of these visas signals New Zealand’s recognition that traditional work visa pathways don’t always serve seasonal industries effectively. This helps ensure the visas are used for genuine short-term needs, not as a way to fill permanent roles.
The government continues reviewing the AEWV framework and may introduce additional modifications based on how these seasonal pathways perform. Employers and workers should stay informed about policy developments that may affect future seasons.
Resources and Next Steps
Official Information Sources
- Immigration New Zealand website: www.immigration.govt.nz
- Seasonal visa job lists and detailed requirements
- Employer accreditation portal
- Online application system
Professional Assistance
Consider consulting with a licensed immigration adviser, particularly if you have:
- Complex work history across multiple countries
- Previous visa declines or immigration issues
- Questions about your specific situation
- Concerns about meeting requirements
Stay Informed
Immigration policies can change. Monitor official Immigration New Zealand channels for updates on:
- Processing times
- Policy modifications
- Job list updates
- Employer accreditation changes
Final Thoughts
New Zealand’s new seasonal work visas offer genuine opportunities for international workers to gain valuable experience, earn competitive wages, and enjoy New Zealand’s spectacular environment during their off-season. The streamlined GWSV pathway particularly benefits experienced professionals who have established seasonal work patterns, while the PSV provides entry points for those building careers in seasonal industries.
Success requires careful preparation, honest assessment of your qualifications, and thorough understanding of all requirements. With proper planning and complete documentation, eligible workers can access these pathways and contribute to New Zealand’s vital seasonal industries while advancing their own career goals.
The key is approaching the process with realistic expectations, genuine seasonal work intent, and commitment to complying with all visa conditions throughout your stay.
