NZ Unveils New Seasonal Visa Categories to Ease Recruitment

• New visas streamline seasonal hiring for high-demand industries.
• GWSV offers three-year validity with simpler hiring requirements.
• PSV requires local recruitment efforts and supports shorter seasonal work.

In a major policy shift intended to simplify the hiring of seasonal employees, New Zealand Immigration has revealed the introduction of two new visa types under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system. The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) applications will be available starting December 8, 2025.

The program aims to assist approved employers in filling temporary positions more effectively while ensuring protections are in place to avoid system abuse. The newly introduced visas will focus on sectors that rely significantly on seasonal workers, such as horticulture, agriculture, tourism, and hospitality.

The GWSV and PSV aim to streamline the hiring process for positions that, though temporary, are crucial to New Zealand's economic cycles. Through the simplification of hiring processes, the government seeks to give employers faster access to skilled seasonal employees, thus assisting sectors during times of high demand.

Employers do not need to advertise locally or perform a labor market test before hiring with this visa. Candidates are required to show a minimum of three seasons of pertinent work experience from the past six years. Visa holders are required to remain outside New Zealand for at least three months each year.

The visa will be granted for three years, providing security for both employers and employees. Candidates must fulfill health and character criteria to guarantee adherence to immigration regulations. In contrast to several other visa types, English language assessment is not mandatory for GWSV applicants.

The Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) has been created to meet temporary labor requirements during high-demand times. It has more stringent criteria than the GWSV. Employers are required to promote the position and show that they have made efforts to recruit locally before hiring foreign workers. Candidates must have finished a minimum of one season of related work in the past three years.

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The visa remains valid for as long as seven months, rendering it appropriate for temporary seasonal positions. For positions exceeding three months, candidates are required to maintain extensive health insurance throughout their time. Like the GWSV, PSV applicants do not need to take English language tests.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of seasonal work experience—for the GWSV, a minimum of three seasons in a comparable position within the last six years, and for the PSV, at least one season within the previous three years—backed by employer reference letters, payslips, tax documents, rosters, or certifications.

Furthermore, proof of seasonality is necessary. GWSV candidates need to prove they are outside New Zealand for three months each year, whereas PSV candidates must exhibit a four-month gap between applications, providing evidence such as travel plans or employer confirmations.