INZ Update: New Seasonal Visa Pathways to Support Employers During Peak Periods

August 18, 2025

The New Zealand Government has announced two new seasonal visa pathways, set to launch in December 2025, to help accredited employers access workers during periods of peak seasonal activity. These initiatives aim to address workforce shortages in industries that rely heavily on seasonal labour while maintaining robust visa conditions and checks.

1. Global Workforce Seasonal Visa

The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa is a 3-year visa designed for highly skilled seasonal workers in select industries, including:

• Rural contracting
• Sheep scanning
• Shearing
• Winemaking
• Ski instruction

Key requirements:

• Applicants must demonstrate three seasons of relevant work experience.
• A valid job offer in an eligible role is required.
• Applicants must meet standard health and character requirements.
• Visa holders must spend at least three months outside New Zealand each year.

Employer conditions:

• Accredited employers can recruit workers under this visa without completing a standard labour market test (such as advertising roles).

2. Peak Seasonal Visa

The Peak Seasonal Visa offers short-term flexibility for employers needing additional labour during peak times. It allows visa holders to work in New Zealand for up to seven months in eligible roles, such as:

• Meat and seafood processing
• Calf rearing
• Wool handling

Key requirements:

• Applicants must have at least one season of relevant work experience.
• A job offer in an eligible role is required.
• Comprehensive health insurance is mandatory if the stay exceeds three months.
• After seven months in New Zealand, visa holders must spend four months outside the country before applying again.

Employer conditions:

• Employers must be accredited and hold an approved Job Check.
• A labour market test or formal endorsement from Work and Income is required.
• INZ will assess each Job Check to confirm the role is genuinely seasonal.

What This Means for Employers and Workers

These new visa pathways provide much-needed certainty for industries such as agriculture, food processing, viticulture, and tourism, which rely heavily on seasonal labour. For workers, the visas create clear opportunities to gain valuable experience in New Zealand while supporting sectors critical to the economy.

Next Steps

Further details about application processes, eligible roles, and specific conditions will be released in the coming months.

Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter or emailing us at contact@nzimmigration.info for the latest announcements and eligibility criteria.