New seasonal visa pathways to support peak workforce demand

New Zealand’s seasonal industries face intense workforce pressures during peak demand periods. Sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, meat and seafood processing, forestry, and tourism operate within short yet critical timeframes where access to skilled, experienced workers can make the biggest difference.

From 8 December 2025, the Government will introduce two new visa pathways under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. These targeted visas will give employers a faster, more reliable way to bring in experienced seasonal talent, helping industries operate at full capacity during their busiest months while ensuring permanent jobs remain available for New Zealanders.

Enhancing seasonal workforce capacity

The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) have been specifically designed to address recurring seasonal workforce shortages. By tailoring settings to genuine short-term roles, the Government aims to provide accredited employers with timely access to workers who have the skills needed at the exact time they are required.

• Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) – a three-year visa for highly skilled seasonal roles
• Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) – a short-term visa for entry-level or lower-skilled seasonal roles

Industries such as agriculture, horticulture, meat and seafood processing, forestry, and tourism will benefit from more targeted recruitment options, giving them the confidence to plan ahead and the ability to meet demand without compromising service, production, or quality. 

What is the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa?

The GWSV will be a three-year visa for highly skilled seasonal roles, available from 8 December 2025. Visa holders will be required to spend at least three months outside New Zealand each year, ensuring they remain tied to seasonal needs rather than year-round work.

Eligibility requirements:

• At least three seasons of relevant work experience in the past six years
• A job offer in an eligible seasonal role
• Meeting standard health and character requirements
• No Labour Market Test or English language requirement

Employers must hold accreditation and obtain a Job Check for the seasonal role. Unlike standard AEWV roles, employers will not need to advertise or complete the usual labour market test.

Eligible roles under GWSV will include:

• Agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operator
• Agricultural technician (e.g. 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

GWSV holders will be able to transition to other visa types if eligible but will not be able to support partner or dependent visas. They will be able to change jobs only within the same visa type.

Peak Seasonal Visa – supporting essential seasonal operations

The PSV will be a short-term option for entry-level or lower-skilled seasonal work. It will allow holders to work for up to seven months, after which they must take a four-month break outside New Zealand before reapplying.

Eligibility requirements:

• At least one season of relevant work experience in the past three years
• A job offer in an eligible seasonal role
• Comprehensive health insurance if staying more than three months
• No English language requirement

Employers must be accredited and have an approved Job Check, and they must either complete a labour market test or be endorsed by Work and Income.

Eligible roles under PSV will include:

• 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

Like GWSV holders, PSV workers will not be able to support partner or dependent visas and will only be able to change jobs within the same visa type.

How will Immigration New Zealand ensure roles are genuinely seasonal?

To ensure these visas are used for genuine short-term needs, Immigration New Zealand will confirm that the role meets the seasonal definition. This will involve assessing whether the role aligns with industry peak periods and is time-limited, rather than being a permanent position.

Steps for employers to hire under the new visas

For both GWSV and PSV, employers must:

• Be accredited under the AEWV framework
• Obtain an approved Job Check for a genuine seasonal role
• Ensure the role matches the eligible occupation list for the visa type

Applicants must meet health and character requirements and provide evidence of relevant seasonal work experience. Those moving from a current student or work visa will retain interim work rights while their new visa application is being processed.

How these changes can strengthen your business workforce

• Give accredited employers faster access to the skills they need during peak periods
• Remove the delays and costs associated with the standard labour market test for GWSV roles
• Provide a clear, repeatable process for PSV workers
• Strengthen key industries during their busiest months
• Provide better planning certainty for employers
• Reduce the risk of labour shortfalls
• Enable businesses to take full advantage of seasonal growth opportunities

Get ahead with New Zealand’s new workforce pathways

The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa give accredited employers smarter, faster ways to secure skilled talent when it counts. Act now to stay competitive in 2025. Contact aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com  for expert guidance and end-to-end visa support.