New seasonal visa options under New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa framework will open on 8 December 2025, and this article will walk you step by step through what they are, who can apply, and how they can help you work in New Zealand during busy seasons.
Whether you are a worker looking for seasonal jobs or an accredited employer trying to fill staff shortages, you will find clear, simple explanations here that answer your main questions.
textNew seasonal visa options under New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa framework open on 8 December 2025: what workers and employers need to know.
Learn about the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV), key requirements, benefits, and practical application tips in easy English.
Overview of New Zealand’s new seasonal visa options
From 8 December 2025, Immigration New Zealand will open applications for two new seasonal visas under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework: the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV).
These visas aim to make it easier for accredited employers to hire overseas workers for genuine seasonal roles while keeping strong checks to protect both workers and the local labour market.
The new seasonal visa options sit inside the existing AEWV system, which means employers must be accredited and jobs must be approved before a worker can apply. At the same time, these new pathways give more flexible and tailored options for industries that depend on short-term labour during peak periods, such as agriculture, horticulture, food processing, tourism, and other seasonal services.
What is the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa?
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) is designed for experienced seasonal workers who return year after year to support New Zealand businesses during long or repeated busy periods.
It offers a multi-year, repeat-entry pathway for workers with strong seasonal experience, giving employers more stability and planning power.
What is the Peak Seasonal Visa?
The Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) focuses on short, intense peak seasons when employers need extra staff only for a few months.
It is a shorter-duration option for workers with at least one recent season of relevant experience, targeting high-demand months across key industries.
Why New Zealand is introducing these seasonal visas
New Zealand faces regular worker shortages during peak seasons, especially in sectors such as horticulture, agriculture, meat and seafood processing, tourism, and hospitality. Local workers alone often cannot cover all the demand, which can lead to lost productivity, wasted crops, and strong pressure on tourism services.
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and the Peak Seasonal Visa are designed to support accredited employers who rely on temporary workers at key times of the year, while still maintaining safeguards such as accreditation, job checks, and clear experience requirements. These visas aim to make recruitment faster and more predictable, but also fair and transparent for migrant workers.
Key benefits for seasonal workers
- Clear seasonal pathways under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework.
- Options for multi-year seasonal work or short peak-season roles, depending on your experience.
- Standard AEWV protections such as employer accreditation, job checks, and health and character requirements.
- More predictable planning for travel and work if you return to New Zealand season after season.
How the new seasonal visas fit into the AEWV framework
The new seasonal visas do not replace the Accredited Employer Work Visa; instead, they sit inside the AEWV framework as special options for seasonal roles. This means that employers still need to be accredited, and the role still needs to be approved through the standard job check process, unless specific exemptions apply for the seasonal categories.
Because they are under AEWV, applicants must still meet basic health and character standards and hold a genuine job offer from an accredited employer before applying. However, some conditions, such as labour market tests or English language requirements, can differ between the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and the Peak Seasonal Visa.
Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV): main features
Core purpose and target workers
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa is built for workers who have strong and repeated experience in seasonal roles and who return regularly to New Zealand. It helps employers keep the same skilled workers year after year, which reduces training costs and improves productivity during busy seasons.
Duration, entry, and time outside New Zealand
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa can allow a worker to hold a visa for up to around three years, with the ability to enter New Zealand multiple times for seasonal work within that period. However, holders must spend a minimum period outside New Zealand in each year of the visa, which keeps the visa truly seasonal and not a substitute for long-term residence.
Experience and skills requirements
- Applicants usually must show at least three seasons of relevant experience within the last six years in a comparable industry or role.
- Evidence can include reference letters, payslips, tax records, rosters, and any certificates or training records that confirm the type and length of work.
- Employers may value experience in key sectors such as horticulture, agriculture, food processing, tourism, or other industries recognised as seasonal.
Labour market test and English language
For the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa, employers may not need to carry out a full labour market test in some situations, because the roles are highly seasonal and specialised. In addition, there is no separate English language testing requirement for this visa, which can make it more accessible for experienced workers who may not have formal language test results.
Key differences between GWSV and PSV
| Feature | Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) | Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Multi-year seasonal work for experienced repeat workers. | Short peak-season roles during intense busy periods. |
| Typical duration | Up to about 3 years, with multi-entry options. | Up to around 7 months, depending on job length. |
| Minimum experience | At least 3 seasons in last 6 years. | At least 1 season in last 3 years. |
| Time outside New Zealand | Must spend a set period each year outside New Zealand. | Not multi-year; visa ends after approved peak season. |
| Labour market test | In some cases no standard labour market test due to high seasonal demand. | Labour market test expected, plus engagement with Work and Income. |
| English language | No separate English test requirement. | No separate English test requirement. |
| Health insurance | Standard AEWV health and character checks apply. | Health insurance required for roles over a few months. |
Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV): main features
Who the PSV is designed for
The Peak Seasonal Visa is best for workers who want to come to New Zealand for a short and intense period of work, usually less than a year, during the busiest months. It is especially useful for employers who need many extra staff for harvests, tourism peaks, or other time-limited projects.
Duration and conditions
- The Peak Seasonal Visa usually lasts up to several months, depending on the length of the specific role and the employer’s needs.
- It is not a pathway to residence by itself, and it is not designed for continuous work outside peak seasons.
- Applicants must have at least one season of relevant work experience in the past three years.
Labour market test, Work and Income, and insurance
For the Peak Seasonal Visa, a labour market test is expected, which means employers must make a real effort to hire New Zealanders first by advertising and documenting their attempts. Employers also need to engage with Work and Income to show that local workers have been considered before recruiting overseas staff.
For roles longer than about three months, workers must hold health insurance during their stay, adding an extra layer of protection in case of illness or injury while working in New Zealand. English language testing is not a separate requirement for PSV applicants, which can help experienced seasonal workers who may not have formal language test certificates.
What accredited employers should prepare before 8 December 2025
- Confirm or renew your Accredited Employer Work Visa accreditation status and ensure it is active.
- Identify which roles in your business are genuinely seasonal and decide whether they fit better under GWSV or PSV.
- Prepare clear job descriptions, employment agreements, and evidence of seasonal patterns in your business.
- Plan recruitment timelines around the 8 December 2025 opening date so you can apply as soon as applications become available.
Step-by-step: how workers can apply for the new seasonal visas
Step 1 – Confirm your eligibility and experience
First, decide which visa best matches your situation: the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa if you have three or more seasons of experience in the last six years, or the Peak Seasonal Visa if you have at least one recent season and want a shorter stay. Make a simple list of your past seasonal jobs, including employer names, roles, dates, and tasks, so you can later use this information in your application.
Step 2 – Secure a job offer from an accredited employer
You cannot apply for these visas without a job offer from an employer who holds AEWV accreditation and an approved seasonal role. Many employers list job openings on major New Zealand job boards or through recruitment agencies that specialise in seasonal work, so be ready with your CV and proof of experience.
Step 3 – Gather required documents
- Signed employment agreement clearly stating role, pay, hours, and location.
- Evidence of seasonal work experience such as reference letters, payslips, tax records, or rosters.
- Valid passport and any required health and character documents, such as medical checks and police certificates.
- Health insurance details if you are applying under PSV for a role longer than three months.
Step 4 – Submit your visa application online
Applications for both the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and the Peak Seasonal Visa are expected to open through Immigration New Zealand’s online system from 8 December 2025. When you apply, make sure every section is filled in, your documents are clear and readable, and you double-check that you have selected the correct seasonal visa option.
Step 5 – Wait for a decision and plan your travel
Processing times can vary, especially around peak seasons, so apply as early as possible to avoid delays. Do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until you receive a visa decision, but you can prepare a rough travel plan based on your expected start date and season length.
Example: how a seasonal farm worker can use the new visas
Imagine you have already worked three apple harvest seasons in New Zealand in the last six years. With this background, you may be able to apply for the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa so you can return for several future seasons under one multi-year visa.
If you have only completed one recent harvest, the Peak Seasonal Visa might suit you better, letting you work for a single peak season while you build more experience for long-term seasonal options.
How these visas protect workers and maintain integrity
Because they sit under the AEWV structure, the new seasonal visas must follow key integrity and worker-protection rules such as employer accreditation, fair pay, and safe conditions. Employers with poor compliance histories can lose accreditation, which gives authorities leverage to protect migrant workers from exploitation.
Requirements such as clear evidence of experience, police certificates, and, in some cases, health insurance help ensure that workers are suitable for seasonal roles and are better protected from health or safety risks. At the same time, the separation between GWSV and PSV allows authorities to monitor and manage different risk levels for long-term repeat workers versus short-term peak-season staff.
Official resources and where to get help
For the most accurate and up-to-date details, you should always check the official Immigration New Zealand website’s news and visa information pages, which include the latest announcements on the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa.
You can also review news releases and guides from reputable law firms and immigration advisers that explain the new seasonal visas in plain language and provide real-world examples. Many of these professionals also offer one-on-one support if you have unusual circumstances or more complex questions about your immigration pathway.
Frequently asked questions about New Zealand’s new seasonal visa options
When do the new seasonal visas open?
Applications for the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and the Peak Seasonal Visa are scheduled to open on 8 December 2025 through Immigration New Zealand’s official channels.
Do I need a job offer before I can apply?
Yes, you must first secure a job offer and a signed employment agreement from an accredited employer in a recognised seasonal role before you can lodge your visa application.
Can these seasonal visas lead to permanent residence?
These visas are designed mainly for temporary seasonal work, not as direct residence pathways, although some experience gained may help if you later apply under other skilled or residence categories.
Is English testing required?
There is no separate English language test requirement specifically for the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa or the Peak Seasonal Visa, though you must still be able to understand your role and follow workplace instructions safely.
What sectors are likely to use these visas?
Horticulture, agriculture, meat and seafood processing, food manufacturing, tourism, and hospitality are some of the main sectors expected to rely on the new seasonal visa pathways during peak periods.