Seasonal visas open from 8 December 2025

From 08 December 2025, applications will open for two new seasonal visa options under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework, the Global Seasonal Workforce Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV).

We are making it easier for employers to recruit seasonal labour
These two new visas will make it easier for accredited employers to recruit for genuine seasonal roles, while maintaining checks to prevent abuse.

Most conditions of these visas will be the same as any Accredited Employer Work Visa, and to change any conditions, candidates will need to apply for a Job Change.

Global Seasonal Workforce Visa (GWSV)

This visa is for genuine seasonal roles and has specific requirements, including:

• Employers do not need to advertise the role in New Zealand and prove they have tried to recruit New Zealanders before recruiting internationally for approved roles, meaning employers do not need to conduct a labour market test
• The visa will be granted for 3 years
• Candidates are required to meet health and character requirements, regardless of their intended length of stay
• Candidates must have at least 3 seasons of relevant experience within the last 6 years and spend 3 months outside New Zealand each year
• English language testing is not required.

Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

This visa is designed for short peak periods and has specific requirements, including:

• Employers must advertise the role in New Zealand and prove they have tried to recruit New Zealanders before recruiting internationally for approved roles, meaning employers need to conduct a labour market test
• Employers must partner with Work and Income a recognised seasonal employer for the proposed roles or receive PSV endorsement from Work and Income
• The visa can last up to 7 months, and candidates need at least 1 season of relevant experience within the last 3 years
• If the work lasts longer than 3 months, comprehensive health insurance is required
• English language testing is not required.

What candidates need to prepare

Candidates must provide clear, complete evidence proving they meet the requirements for their chosen seasonal visa. This includes:

Job offer and employment agreement

Candidates will need a job offer and a signed employment agreement from an AEWV accredited employer for an eligible seasonal role. The agreement should state:

• Start and end dates
• Salary
• Guaranteed hours of work
• Work location.

Seasonal work experience

The candidate’s application must demonstrate recent, relevant experience:

• GWSV: At least 3 seasons in the same or a similar role within the last 6 years
• PSV: At least 1 season in the same or a similar role within the last 3 years
• Acceptable evidence includes letters from employers, payslips, tax summaries, work schedules, or certificates confirming the candidate’s role, dates and duties.

Evidence of seasonality

Candidates must prove that their work pattern fits the seasonal nature of the visa:

• GWSV: Prove the candidate can spend 3 months outside New Zealand each year
• PSV: Prove the candidate can meet the 4-month break before applying for another PSV
• Useful evidence includes travel plans or itineraries, timelines with dates of work and travel, and letters from employers confirming the seasonal cycle and breaks.

Health insurance (PSV roles longer than 3 months)

If the candidate’s PSV role is expected to last longer than 3 months, the candidate will need acceptable health insurance that covers the candidate’s full work period without gaps. “Acceptable” usually means the policy:

• Covers primary/urgent care (doctor and after-hours clinic visits) and hospitalisation, including specialist care and diagnostics, except where an exclusion is permitted
• Includes prescription medication and any medically necessary rehabilitation or follow-up care
• Covers emergency dental treatment
• Provides for emergency evacuation/repatriation to the candidate’s home country, including in the event of death under any circumstances, if required
• Has a reasonable excess/deductible and does not exclude foreseeable risks related to the candidate’s work.

When applying, include:

• Policy certificate (showing the applicant’s name, coverage dates, and the New Zealand portion of the trip)
• Summary of benefits outlining inclusions and exclusions
• Any endorsements confirming coverage for pre-existing conditions (if applicable)
• Certified translation if the applicant’s documents are not in English.

Ensure the policy is active for the entire duration of the applicant’s job offer and renewed or extended if employment dates change.

Supporting evidence for AEWV standards

Like all AEWV applications, applicants will need:

• Valid passport and photos
• Health and character checks (including medical certificates and police certificates) where relevant
• Any supporting forms required by Immigration New Zealand.

Because the GWSV is granted for 36 months, full medical and character checks are required for all applicants. This includes providing a valid police certificate to prove good character, except where one has been provided in the previous 24 months and character has not changed.

Applicants must submit a full police certificate with their application – not just proof of having applied – to avoid delays or potential refusal.