Starting 8 December 2025, New Zealand will launch two new visa categories the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) to address seasonal labour shortages in vital industries like agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and food processing.
The GWSV is aimed at skilled seasonal workers and offers a validity of up to three years, while the PSV is designed for entry-level roles with a stay period of up to seven months. Both visas will operate under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework, giving accredited employers more flexibility to hire short-term staff during peak production or environmental cycles.
By clearly defining seasonal job categories and verifying that each role genuinely aligns with peak industry demand, the New Zealand government aims to fill urgent skill gaps while maintaining fair and consistent immigration rules.
Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) – What It Is and Who Can Apply
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) is designed for skilled seasonal workers who play a vital role in New Zealand’s peak-season industries. If you have proven experience in seasonal work, this visa could open the door to working in New Zealand for up to three years.
To qualify, you must have:
- Worked in a relevant seasonal role for at least three seasons in the past six years.
- Spent at least three months outside New Zealand each year while holding the visa.
The GWSV is especially attractive because:
- No Labour Market Test is required employers don’t have to prove they couldn’t find a New Zealander for the role.
- No English language proof is needed.
- You can transition to other visa types later if you meet the requirements.
Eligible Roles Under GWSV
The visa covers a wide range of skilled seasonal jobs, including:
- Agriculture & Horticulture: Mobile plant operators, agricultural technicians (e.g., sheep or animal pregnancy scanners).
- Winter Sports & Tourism: Chairlift operators, snow groomers, snowmakers, snow sports instructors, and snowsport equipment technicians.
- Adventure & Guiding: Mountain or glacier guides, whitewater rafting guides, outdoor adventure instructors.
- Food & Wine Industry: Winemakers, winery senior cellar hands.
- Primary Production: Shearers, slaughterers, and primary products inspectors.
Whether you’re working among snow-covered peaks, guiding thrill-seekers, operating high-tech farming equipment, or crafting fine wines, the GWSV offers a way to bring your expertise to New Zealand’s seasonal workforce with the flexibility to return each year.
Understanding the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) – Who It’s For and What You Can Do
The Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) is a short-term work visa designed for entry-level or lower-skilled seasonal jobs in New Zealand. It’s perfect for people looking to work during peak demand periods in industries like farming, seafood processing, forestry, and winemaking.
Key Features of the PSV:
- Duration: Up to 7 months.
- Experience requirement: At least one season of relevant work experience in the past 3 years.
- Health insurance: Must have comprehensive cover during your stay.
- Reapplication rule: After your 7-month visa ends, you need to take a 4-month break before applying again.
- English language: No language test is required.
Employer requirements:
Employers hiring PSV workers must be accredited and either engaged with or endorsed by Work and Income to ensure the roles genuinely meet seasonal labour needs.
Eligible Seasonal Roles Under the PSV
If you qualify, you could work in roles like:
- Mussel or oyster farm worker
- Calf rearer or relief milker
- Forestry worker
- Meat boner, slicer, or other meat processing roles
- Seafood processing worker
- Winery cellar hand
- Wool handler
Important Rules to Keep in Mind
- No family sponsorship: PSV holders cannot sponsor visas for partners or dependent children.
- Changing employers: You can switch employers only within the same visa type.
- Visa transfers: If you move from a student or work visa to a PSV, you’ll keep interim work rights while your new visa is processed.
- Not a permanent residency pathway: The PSV is strictly for genuine seasonal work, not a stepping stone to permanent migration. Immigration officials will check contract lengths, industry cycles, and other factors to ensure employers aren’t using it to fill permanent positions.
Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) vs Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)
| Feature |
Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) |
Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) |
| Purpose |
For skilled seasonal workers in industries affected by environmental and production cycles |
For entry-level or lower-skilled seasonal workers in similar industries |
| Validity |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 7 months |
| Experience required |
At least 3 seasons of relevant work in the last 6 years |
At least 1 season of relevant work in the last 3 years |
| Time outside NZ requirement |
Must spend at least 3 months outside New Zealand each year |
Must take a 4-month break before reapplying after the visa ends |
| Health insurance |
Not specified |
Required – comprehensive health cover |
| English language requirement |
None |
None |
| Labour Market Test |
Not required |
Not required, but employer must be engaged with or endorsed by Work and Income |
| Eligible roles (examples) |
Agricultural/horticultural mobile plant operators, agricultural technicians (sheep/animal pregnancy scanners), snow groomers, chairlift operators, mountain/glacier guides, winemakers, shearers, slaughterers, primary products inspectors, snow sports instructors |
Mussel/oyster farm workers, calf rearers, relief milkers, forestry workers, meat boners/slicers, seafood processors, winery cellar hands, wool handlers |
| Change of employer |
Allowed within same visa type |
Allowed within same visa type |
| Family sponsorship |
Not allowed |
Not allowed |
| Transition to other visas |
Possible if criteria are met |
Not intended as a pathway to other visas |
| Pathway to permanent residence |
No direct pathway – for seasonal work only |
No direct pathway – for seasonal work only |
New Zealand Introduces Two Seasonal Visa Pathways to Meet Labour Demands During Peak Seasons
To tackle seasonal labour shortages while keeping local workers a priority, the New Zealand Government has announced two new seasonal visa pathways under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework: the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV). Both will be available from 8 December 2025 and are designed to help businesses meet peak workforce demands without compromising opportunities for New Zealand citizens and residents.
Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) – For Skilled Seasonal Workers
The GWSV targets highly skilled seasonal roles in industries like agriculture, winemaking, rural contracting, and snow tourism.
Key features:
- Stay period: Up to 3 years.
- Experience: At least three seasons of relevant work in the past six years.
- Return requirement: Must spend at least 3 months overseas each year to remain eligible.
- No English test or labour market test required.
- Visa flexibility: Holders can switch to other visa types if they meet the criteria.
Examples of eligible roles:
- Sheep or animal pregnancy scanners
- Winemakers and senior winery cellar hands
- Rural contractors and agricultural technicians
- Snow sports instructors, snow groomers, and chairlift operators
- Mountain/glacier guides and outdoor adventure instructors
- Shearers, slaughterers, and primary products inspectors
This visa benefits employers who need the same skilled workers season after season, ensuring stability and reducing training costs.
Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) – For Short-Term, Lower-Skilled Seasonal Work
The PSV is designed for entry-level or physically demanding seasonal jobs that require workers for shorter, high-demand periods.
Key features:
- Stay period: Up to 7 months.
- Experience: At least one season of relevant work in the past three years.
- Health cover: Must hold comprehensive health insurance.
- Reapplication rule: Must leave New Zealand for at least 4 months before applying again.
- No English test required.
Examples of eligible roles:
- Mussel or oyster farm workers
- Calf rearers and relief milkers
- Forestry workers
- Meat boners, slicers, and meat processing staff
- Seafood processors
- Winery cellar hands and wool handlers
The PSV ensures that industries like meat processing, wool handling, and seafood production can meet short bursts of labour demand without relying on long-term foreign labour.
Employer Responsibilities – Local Workers Come First
To protect local employment, employers hiring through either visa must:
- Advertise jobs domestically before seeking overseas workers.
- Work with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to check all options for hiring local talent first.
This ensures foreign recruitment happens only when genuine seasonal skill shortages exist.
Why These Visas Matter for Seasonal Industries
Sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, and tourism rely heavily on temporary workers during seasonal peaks.
- GWSV provides long-term access to experienced workers, ensuring continuity and specialist skills.
- PSV offers flexibility for businesses with short, intense labour needs, without long-term contracts.
A Balanced Approach to Workforce Development
The GWSV and PSV represent a strategic shift in New Zealand’s seasonal workforce policy offering targeted, flexible solutions while safeguarding jobs for locals. With proper monitoring and cooperation between businesses and the government, these visas could strengthen New Zealand’s seasonal industries and provide more stability for both employers and workers.
As the system rolls out, the challenge will be to maintain this balance meeting industry demand without undermining domestic employment. Done right, it’s a win–win for the economy and the workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the New Zealand Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)?
The GWSV is a work visa for skilled seasonal workers in industries like agriculture, winemaking, and snow tourism. It allows stays of up to three years, provided the worker spends at least three months outside New Zealand each year. No English test or labour market test is required, and holders may transition to other visas if they meet eligibility criteria.
- What is the New Zealand Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)?
The PSV is for entry-level or lower-skilled seasonal work, valid for up to seven months. Applicants need at least one season of relevant work experience in the past three years and must have health insurance. After the visa ends, workers must take a four-month break before reapplying. It’s designed for short-term labour needs in industries like meat processing, seafood, and wool handling.
- When will the GWSV and PSV be available?
Both the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) will be available from 8 December 2025. They aim to address labour shortages during peak seasons while ensuring New Zealand citizens and residents remain the priority for employment opportunities. Employers must follow strict rules before hiring international workers under these visas.
- What industries will benefit from these seasonal visas?
Industries affected by environmental or production cycles will benefit most, including agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, forestry, seafood processing, and tourism. For example, the GWSV can help secure experienced winemakers or snow instructors, while the PSV supports physically demanding roles like meat processing or wool handling during short-term seasonal peaks.
- Do I need to pass an English language test for these visas?
No, there is no English language requirement for either the GWSV or PSV. This makes them accessible to a broader range of skilled and seasonal workers. However, applicants still need to meet role-specific experience criteria and any other requirements set by Immigration New Zealand.
- Can I bring my family on a GWSV or PSV?
No. Visa holders under both categories cannot sponsor visas for partners or dependent children. These visas are strictly for the applicant to work in seasonal roles, and they are not intended as a pathway to permanent residency or long-term settlement in New Zealand.
- What are the key differences between the GWSV and PSV?
The GWSV is for skilled seasonal workers, valid up to three years, with a requirement to spend three months abroad annually. The PSV is for lower-skilled roles, valid up to seven months, with a four-month reapplication gap. Both target peak-season labour shortages but differ in skill level, duration, and eligibility criteria.
- How does New Zealand ensure local workers are prioritised?
Employers hiring under either visa must advertise roles domestically first and work with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to find local candidates. International recruitment is only allowed when no suitable local workers are available. This policy ensures that seasonal visas fill genuine skill gaps without replacing local employment opportunities.
- Can I change employers while on a seasonal visa?
Yes, you can change employers under both GWSV and PSV, but only within the same visa category. This means a GWSV holder can switch to another GWSV-eligible employer, and a PSV holder can move to another PSV-eligible employer, provided all visa conditions are met.
- Are these visas a pathway to permanent residency?
No, neither the GWSV nor the PSV is intended as a pathway to permanent migration. They are designed solely to meet temporary, peak-season labour needs. Immigration New Zealand will assess contracts, industry cycles, and other factors to ensure these visas are not misused for filling permanent roles.
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