New seasonal visa pathways to support workforce demand

To help address labour shortages during peak seasons, the Government is introducing 2 new visa options under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework: the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV).

These visas will be available from 8 December 2025. They 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.

How the visas work 

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) 

This visa is for skilled seasonal roles and is valid for up to 3 years.

Employers need to get a job check for a seasonal role then a worker applies for the seasonal visa, and visa holders must spend at least 3 months outside New Zealand each year.

Applicants need to have worked in a relevant seasonal role for at least 3 seasons in the past 6 years.

There is no Labour Market Test or English language requirement, and visa holders can transition to other visa types. 

Roles covered under this visa

• Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator 
• Agricultural Technician (for example sheep or animal pregnancy scanner) 
• Chairlift Operator 
• Tulip Grower 
• Thoroughbred Yearling Preparer 
• Snow Groomer 
• Mountain or Glacier Guide 
• Outdoor Adventure Instructor 
• Primary Products Inspector 
• Shearer 
• Slaughterer 
• Snow Sports Instructor 
• Snow Maker 
• Snowsport Equipment Technician 
• Whitewater Rafting Guide 
• Wine Maker 
• Winery Senior Cellar Hand 

Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) 

This visa is for entry-level or lower-skilled seasonal roles and is valid for up to 7 months. After reaching the 7-month limit, visa holders must take a 4-month break before reapplying.

Applicants need at least 1 season of relevant experience in the past 3 years and must hold comprehensive health insurance.

There is no English language requirement, but employers must engage with or be endorsed by Work and Income. 

Roles covered under this visa

• Mussel or Oyster Farm Worker 
• Calf Rearer 
• Relief Milker 
• Forestry Worker 
• Meat Boner and Slicer 
• Meat Process Worker 
• Seafood Process Worker 
• Winery Cellar Hand 
• Wool Handler 

Visa holders under both pathways cannot support partner or dependent visas. They can only change jobs within the same visa type. Applicants moving from a student or work visa will retain interim work rights while their new visa application is being processed. 

What is a seasonal role

Each visa includes a list of jobs that are considered seasonal. However, we will still need to confirm that the job being offered genuinely fits that definition. One way to assess this is by looking at how long the job lasts — for example, whether it aligns with the industry’s peak season. This helps ensure the visas are used for genuine short-term needs, not as a way to fill permanent roles.