New Zealand Introduces Two Seasonal Work Visa Categories Effective 8 December 2025

Last updated on 10 minutes ago

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced the launch of two new seasonal work visa pathways under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. Applications will open on 8 December 2025, enabling accredited employers to address acute labour shortages in industries with pronounced seasonal peaks, including horticulture, viticulture, agriculture, tourism, forestry, and food processing.

1. Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)

Target audience: Highly skilled and experienced seasonal workers

• Validity: Up to 3 years (multiple entry)
• Minimum experience: 3 seasons in the preceding 6 years in the relevant occupation
• Annual offshore requirement: At least 3 months outside New Zealand each year
• Key advantages:
  • No English-language testing required
  • Exemption from labour-market testing for approved roles
  • Suitable for roles such as senior winemakers, snow-sports instructors, shearers, agricultural technicians, and specialist adventure guides

2. Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

Target audience: Entry-level and lower-skilled seasonal workers

• Validity: Maximum 7 months within any 11-month period (single entry)
• Minimum experience: 1 season in the preceding 3 years
• Mandatory stand-down: 4 months outside New Zealand before re-application
• Key requirements:
  • No English-language testing required
  • Employer must complete full labour-market testing and engage with Work and Income
  • Typical roles include fruit and vegetable harvesting, vineyard work, forestry planting, and meat processing

Shared Conditions

• Employment must be genuinely seasonal and tied to natural or production cycles.
• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance is mandatory.
• Dependent family members are not eligible to accompany the principal applicant.
• These visas do not provide a direct pathway to residence, though strong employment records may support future applications under other categories.

Official Resources

• Immigration New Zealand – Seasonal Visa Pathways: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-seasonal-visa-pathways
• Application opening announcement: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/new-seasonal-visas-open-8-december-2025

Employers and prospective workers are encouraged to review the final list of eligible occupations and detailed policy settings, which will be published in the coming weeks ahead of the 8 December launch.