New Zealand Introduces Seasonal Work Visas under AEWV Framework: GWSV and PSV Explained

In a strategic move to address seasonal labour shortages, New Zealand Immigration has announced two new visa categories under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. Starting December 8, 2025, applications for the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) will open for prospective international workers.

These new visa categories are specifically designed to cater to industries heavily dependent on seasonal employment, including horticulture, agriculture, tourism, and hospitality. By introducing these visas, the government seeks to simplify recruitment processes for temporary yet essential roles, while maintaining robust safeguards to prevent misuse.

Objective of the New Visas

The GWSV and PSV aim to balance New Zealand’s economic needs with regulatory oversight. Seasonal work is critical for the country’s agricultural and tourism sectors, especially during peak demand periods. The initiative enables accredited employers to hire workers more efficiently, reduces administrative hurdles, and ensures that temporary positions are filled fairly and transparently.

The new visa categories are also expected to streamline the hiring process for international workers, providing employers with quicker access to skilled seasonal labour.

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)

The GWSV targets long-term seasonal roles that require consistent and experienced workers. Key features of the visa include:

• Streamlined Hiring Process: Employers are not required to advertise positions locally or conduct a labour market test.
• Experience Requirement: Applicants must have completed at least three seasons of relevant work within the last six years.
• Residency Condition: Visa holders must spend a minimum of three months outside New Zealand each year.
• Validity Period: The visa is valid for three years, offering stability for both workers and employers.
• Safeguards: Health and character checks are mandatory to ensure compliance with immigration standards.
• Language Requirement: English language testing is not required, making the application process more accessible.

This visa is particularly suitable for industries such as horticulture, agriculture, and seafood processing, where experienced seasonal labour is crucial for operational continuity.

Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

The PSV caters to short-term labour requirements during peak demand periods. Compared to the GWSV, it has stricter eligibility criteria and shorter validity. Key features include:

• Labour Market Test: Employers must demonstrate that they attempted to recruit locally before hiring overseas.
• Experience Requirement: Applicants must have completed at least one season of relevant work within the last three years.
• Validity Period: PSV is valid for up to seven months, ideal for short-term roles.
• Health Insurance Requirement: For roles lasting more than three months, comprehensive health insurance is mandatory.
• Language Requirement: English language testing is not required.

The PSV is designed for industries facing temporary surges in demand, such as tourism, hospitality, and harvest seasons in agriculture.

Eligible Roles under GWSV and PSV

The new visa categories cover a range of seasonal occupations, including:

• Mussel or oyster farm workers
• Calf rearers and relief milkers
• Forestry workers
• Meat boners, slicers, and other meat processing roles
• Seafood processing workers
• Winery cellar hands and wool handlers

These roles are crucial to New Zealand’s economic cycles, and the introduction of these visas ensures that labour shortages during peak periods can be addressed efficiently.

Application Requirements and Documentation

Applicants for both GWSV and PSV must provide complete and verifiable documentation to demonstrate eligibility. Key requirements include:

1. Job Offer and Employment Agreement: Securing a role with an AEWV-accredited employer, including start and end dates, pay rate, guaranteed hours, and work location.
2. Proof of Seasonal Work Experience:
    
   • GWSV: At least three seasons in similar roles over the past six years.
   • PSV: At least one season in the past three years.
     Supporting documents may include employer reference letters, payslips, tax records, rosters, or certifications.
3. Seasonality Evidence:
    
   • GWSV: Demonstrate three months outside New Zealand annually.
   • PSV: Show a four-month stand-down period between applications, with supporting documents such as travel itineraries or employer confirmations.
4. Health Insurance (PSV roles over three months): Comprehensive coverage must include general and emergency healthcare, hospitalisation, specialist services, prescription medicines, follow-up care, and emergency evacuation or repatriation. Proof of insurance validity is required throughout employment.
    
5. Standard AEWV Documentation:
    
   • Valid passport and recent photograph
   • Health and character certificates (medical and police)
   • Additional forms requested by Immigration New Zealand

Given the three-year validity of the GWSV, full medical and character checks are compulsory for all applicants, even if previously submitted.

Implications for Employers and Workers

For employers, these new visa categories simplify recruitment, reduce administrative burdens, and provide a steady supply of skilled seasonal workers. For international workers, the visas offer:

• Clear pathways to temporary employment in New Zealand
• Defined work periods with legal protections
• Opportunity to gain long-term seasonal experience in their respective industries

By offering both long-term (GWSV) and short-term (PSV) options, the AEWV framework can cater to a wide range of seasonal labour needs.

Conclusion

The launch of the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) under the AEWV framework represents a significant step in New Zealand’s immigration policy. By targeting industries such as horticulture, agriculture, tourism, and hospitality, the government aims to ensure a reliable flow of seasonal labour while maintaining regulatory oversight and fairness.

Prospective applicants must prepare diligently, securing employment agreements, demonstrating relevant seasonal experience, and providing comprehensive documentation. Employers benefit from a streamlined recruitment process, helping to fill critical seasonal roles efficiently.

As these visas become operational, they are expected to support New Zealand’s economic cycles, reduce labour shortages, and provide international workers with structured and legally protected opportunities to contribute to key industries.