New Zealand’s primary industries rely heavily on a steady and reliable seasonal workforce. Securing the right workers at

the right time is essential and recent immigration updates have reshaped the pathway for hiring overseas seasonal

workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework.

From 8 December 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has introduced two new visa categories as follows specifically

designed for seasonal occupations. A List of seasonal occupations is in the Appendix at the bottom.

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)

• Requires 3 seasons of relevant work experience within the last 6 years
• No Labour Market Test (LMT) for the Job Check
• Visa duration: 3 years
• Worker must spend 3 months outside New Zealand each year
• This is an excellent option for businesses with recurring seasonal cycles who want to retain their trained seasonal workforce year after year without re-advertising locally for each season.

Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

• Requires 1 season of relevant work experience within the last 3 years
• Advertising is required
• Requires Work and Income engagement or a PSV endorsement
• Visa duration: up to 7 months
• Requires a 4-month stand-down period after employment ends

Industries with short, high-demand surges, such as seafood processing, forestry, and short-term manufacturing — will benefit most from the PSV.

The crucial first step? A successful Job Check with INZ

As an accredited employer, your first step when hiring a seasonal migrant worker is to secure a Job Check with INZ.

If the occupation appears on the List of Seasonal Occupations, the employer must select one of the following pathways when lodging the Job Check, either Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) or Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV).

Preparing a compliant and accurate Job Check package is essential to avoid delays.

What INZ Scrutinises in a Seasonal Job Check:

• Genuine Seasonal Need: You must demonstrate that the job aligns with your industry’s recognised seasonal or peak period.
• Correct Occupation Classification: The job must match the correct ANZSCO/NZ Occupation List (NOL) code on the seasonal occupations list.
• Labour Market Test (LMT): Not required for GWSV. For PSV, a full LMT is required, including engagement with Work and Income or a valid PSV endorsement.
• Compliant Employment Terms: The offer must be full-time (at least 30 hours/week), with remuneration at or above market rate, and include a compliant employment agreement.
• Your Accreditation Status: Your business must hold valid Accredited Employer status, and all accreditation obligations must be met.

 

Failing to meet any of these requirements can delay or jeopardise your ability to hire for the season. Job Check integrity

issues may also impact your broader accreditation.

As a team of Licensed Immigration Advisers, we can support you with:

• Assessing whether GWSV or PSV fits your business
• Preparing a compliant Job Check for fast approval
• Drafting or reviewing employment agreements
• Advising on acceptable seasonal work experience evidence
• Preparing and lodging your job check or worker’s visa applications
• Ensuring job check compliance to maintain accreditation status

 

A Note for Job Seekers

Our expertise lies in guiding both the employer and the prospective employee through the immigration process that follows a job offer. We are not a recruitment agency and don’t provide job-hunting or placement services. You need a job offer from a NZ employer before we can help with a work visa support.

Appendix

Occupation List for the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)

• Agricultural Technician (311111)
• Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator (721111)
• Shearers (361211)
• Wine Makers (234213)
• Winery Senior Cellar Hand (431914)
• Flower grower (121212) – Tulip Growers only Tulip Growers only
• Mountain or Glacier Guide (452214)
• Whitewater Rafting Guide (452217)
• Outdoor Adventure Instructor (452215)
• Mobile Plant Operators NEC (721999) – Snow Groomer only
• Technicians and Trades workers NEC (399999) – Ski Technician and Surfboard Maker only
• Snow Sports Instructor (452314)
• Primary Products Inspectors NEC (311399)
• Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator (712111) – Chairlift Operator
• Stationary Plant Operators NEC (712999) – Snow Maker only
• Horse Trainer (361112) – Thoroughbred Yearling Preparer only
• Slaughterer (831212)
• Occupation List of the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)
• Meat Process Worker (831311)
• Seafood Process Worker (831313)
• Winery Cellar Hand (831118)
• Wool Handler (841517)
• Forestry Worker (841311)
• Dairy Farm Cattle worker (841512) – Calf Rearer and Relief Milker only
• Meat Boner and Slicer (831211)
• Aquaculture Worker (841111) – Mussel Oyster Farm Worker only