New Zealand to introduce Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa to fill workforce shortages

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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