Highlights: Two New Seasonal Visas to Open in New Zealand amid Rising Labour Demand
- New Zealand will introduce the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) starting December 8, 2025.
- The GWSV is valid for up to three years and targets skilled seasonal workers with prior experience.
- The PSV allows for seven months of work in entry-level roles and requires at least one season of experience.
- Both visas aim to fill seasonal labour shortages in key sectors like agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and food processing.
- These routes fall under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework and are not pathways to permanent residence.
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New Zealand Launches Two New Seasonal Visas to Ease Labour Shortages
To meet increasing workforce demands during peak seasons, New Zealand has announced two new visa categories—the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)—set to launch on December 8, 2025. These visas fall under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework and are designed to help accredited employers hire workers for short-term, high-demand roles in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, tourism, food processing, and more.
The GWSV, valid for up to three years, targets skilled seasonal workers who have completed at least three relevant work seasons in the past six years. Meanwhile, the PSV caters to lower-skilled roles and offers a seven-month stay, requiring just one season of prior experience in the last three years. Both visas remove English language requirements and Labour Market Tests, and include specific job roles under each category. However, they are not pathways to permanent residency and applicants will need to meet strict eligibility and seasonal alignment criteria.
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Who Can Apply? Job Roles Covered under New Zealand’s Seasonal Visas
New Zealand’s new visa categories, the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV), are designed for specific roles tied to seasonal industries.
Here’s a breakdown of the occupations eligible under each route:
|
Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) |
Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) |
|
Agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operators |
Mussel or oyster farm workers |
|
Agricultural technicians (e.g., sheep or animal pregnancy scanners) |
Calf rearers and relief milkers |
|
Chairlift operators |
Forestry workers |
|
Snow groomers and snow makers |
Meat boners, slicers, and meat processing workers |
|
Mountain or glacier guides |
Seafood process workers |
|
Whitewater rafting guides |
Winery cellar hands |
|
Outdoor adventure instructors |
Wool handlers |
|
Winemakers and winery senior cellar hands |
|
|
Shearers |
|
|
Slaughterers |
|
|
Primary products inspectors |
|
|
Snow sports instructors |
|
|
Snowsport equipment technicians |
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