🇳🇿 Secure Your Seasonal Job in New Zealand with Two New Visas Starting December 2025

New Zealand is set to launch two dedicated seasonal work visas on 8 December 2025. These new pathways sit under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework and address labour crunches in agriculture, tourism, and food processing. Whether you’re an experienced pro or stepping into the field for the first time, here’s how each visa works—and how to get started.

   

Why New Zealand Is Tweaking Its Seasonal Work Rules

Seasonal peaks in grape harvesting, glacier guiding, and seafood processing often leave Kiwi employers scrambling for staff. The new visas:

• Plug short-term gaps without swelling long-term migration numbers
• Speed up hiring by removing labour-market tests for most roles
• Keep the broader immigration system steady and predictable

Think of it as precision staffing: making sure the right people arrive exactly when they’re needed.

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)

Designed for experienced seasonal specialists, the GWSV fast-tracks skilled workers into roles that demand minimal training.

Key Highlights:

• Valid for up to 3 years
• Applicants need 3 seasons of relevant work in the last 6 years
• Must spend at least 3 months per year outside New Zealand
• No Labour Market Test or English-language requirement
• Pathway to switch to other visas if you become eligible

Typical GWSV jobs include:

• Agricultural mobile plant operators
• Sheep and animal pregnancy scanners
• Mountain and whitewater rafting guides
• Senior cellar hands and winemakers
• Meat inspectors, shearers, and slaughterers

Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

The PSV fills entry-level but vital roles during crunch times. It’s shorter, more restrictive, and perfect if you’ve got at least one season’s experience.

Key Highlights:

• Valid for up to 7 months
• Requires 1 season of past experience in 3 years
• Comprehensive health insurance required
• 4-month stand-down period before reapplying
• No English-language requirement
• Employers must engage with or be endorsed by Work and Income

Recommended: Comprehensive New Zealand Resident Visa Guide: Your Path to Permanent Residency

Common PSV roles include:

• Mussel and oyster farming
• Calf rearing and relief milking
• Forestry and seafood processing
• Boners, slicers, and wool handlers

Shared Rules Across Both Visas

Regardless of whether you’re on a GWSV or PSV, keep in mind:

• Family sponsorship isn’t permitted
• You can only change employers within your visa category
• Interim work rights continue if you hold another valid student or work visa while your application processes
• These routes are strictly for short-term needs and won’t lead to permanent residence

Immigration New Zealand will vet contracts, seasonal cycles, and job duties closely to prevent misuse.

Next Steps

If you’ve got the right experience and a taste for seasonal work—be it in vineyards, on ski slopes, or in seafood plants—these new visas offer a smoother, faster route to New Zealand.

1. Check your eligibility criteria.
2. Gather proof of past seasonal work and health insurance.
3. Lodge your application from 8 December 2025 onwards via Immigration New Zealand’s website: https://www.immigration.govt.nz

These changes mark a smarter, more agile approach to seasonal staffing. Plan ahead, prepare your documents, and get ready to land your next adventure down under.

More Opportunities: