The New Zealand Government will introduce two new work visa options in December 2025 to address labour shortages in key sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
These visas are designed to provide flexible and targeted support to businesses during peak periods, while ensuring opportunities remain available for New Zealand workers.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasised the importance of these visas in sustaining seasonal industries that contribute to the country’s economy. The new visas will replace the interim Specific Purpose Work Visa and represent an improved, more responsive immigration system.
The first visa, the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa, is intended for highly skilled and experienced seasonal workers. Valid for three years, it allows visa holders to enter and leave New Zealand multiple times throughout the visa period.
This category covers workers such as rural contractors, winemaking staff, sheep scanners, and snow instructors. Visa holders must spend at least three months outside New Zealand every year before returning. This longer duration enables skilled workers to repeatedly contribute during peak seasons without needing to reapply, and holders are entitled to publicly funded healthcare. Employers hiring under this visa are exempt from local job advertising requirements, which simplifies recruitment.
The second visa, known as the Peak Seasonal Visa, targets lower-skilled or entry-level roles critical during busy times, including meat and seafood processing, calf rearing, wool handling, and aquaculture work. This visa allows a stay of up to seven months, with a mandatory four-month period outside New Zealand before renewal is possible.
Applicants must have completed at least one season of relevant experience in the last three years. Employers must advertise vacancies locally first and collaborate with Work and Income New Zealand to prioritise local workers. Health insurance is compulsory for those staying longer than three months, and this visa does not grant access to publicly funded healthcare. The visa addresses business demands for scalable workforce surges when local labour is scarce.
Both visa categories operate under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework, requiring employers to meet accreditation standards before employing overseas workers. Applications open on December 8, 2025, giving employers and prospective workers time to prepare.
These visa changes complement government efforts to refine immigration processes by improving processing times, streamlining employer accreditation, and enforcing labour market testing to protect New Zealand jobs. The new arrangements aim to support seasonal workforce peaks by allowing international workers to contribute within a balanced, well-regulated system.
Aligning seasonal labour needs with these distinct visa options, New Zealand seeks to meet immediate workforce demands while promoting economic resilience and safeguarding opportunities for Kiwi workers. The policy offers vital assistance to key sectors through flexible and competitive work conditions for international seasonal employees.
From December 2025, businesses in affected industries will benefit from a multi-entry three-year visa for skilled seasonal roles and a single-entry seven-month visa for lower-skilled work with return restrictions. The introduction of streamlined employer accreditation and a focus on local hiring further strengthen workforce planning. While Global Workforce Seasonal Visa holders gain access to public healthcare, Peak Seasonal Visa holders must secure private health insurance if their stay exceeds three months.