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GWSV and PSV Introduced under AEWV to Streamline Seasonal Hiring and Skill Retention

New Seasonal Visa Options for Working in New Zealand

Seasonal workers looking for opportunities to work in New Zealand have exciting news! Immigration New Zealand (INZ) recently announced the launch of two new seasonal visa options under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework:

• Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)
• Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

Therefore, these new visas allow accredited New Zealand employers to hire for seasonal jobs more efficiently. They also ensure appropriate checks remain in place to prevent potential misuse of the system.

Crucially, most conditions for these visas will remain the same as those for any standard AEWV. If an applicant wants to change any job conditions, they must apply for a job change.

1. Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)

The GWSV caters to workers in long-term seasonal jobs. Notably, employers using this visa do not have to advertise locally or go through a labor market test.

Key requirements include:

• Workers must have at least 3 seasons of relevant experience in the last 6 years.
• They must spend 3 months outside New Zealand each year.
• The visa is valid for 3 years.
• Applicants must meet standard health and character requirements.
• No English test is required.

2. Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

The PSV is designed for short-term peak seasons when businesses require extra assistance. However, employers must advertise the job opening locally. They must also show they tried to hire New Zealanders before recruiting workers from other countries.

Key requirements include:

• Workers need 1 season of experience within the last 3 years.
• The visa lasts for up to 7 months.
• Workers must have comprehensive health insurance if the role is longer than 3 months.
• No English test is required for this visa either.

Essential Documents for Application

If you plan to apply for one of New Zealand’s new seasonal visas, you need to provide clear evidence that you meet all the criteria. Prepare the following:

1. Job Offer and Employment Agreement: You require a job offer and a signed agreement from an AEWV-accredited employer. The document should clearly state the start/end dates, pay rate, guaranteed hours, and work location.
2. Proof of Seasonal Work Experience: You must show recent, relevant seasonal experience:

• GWSV: At least 3 seasons in the last 6 years.
• PSV: At least 1 season in the last 3 years. Acceptable evidence includes employer letters, payslips, tax summaries, rosters, or certifications.

3. Proof of Seasonality: Your work pattern must match the seasonal nature of the visa:

• GWSV: Demonstrate you can spend 3 months outside New Zealand each year.
• PSV: Prove a 4-month stand-down period is taken before accepting another PSV role. You can use travel itineraries, dated work records, or employer letters to show this.

4. Health Insurance (For PSV Roles Over 3 Months): If your PSV job lasts more than 3 months, you must secure health insurance covering your full employment period. The policy should cover doctor visits, hospital care, and emergency dental care. It must also include medical evacuation or repatriation if needed.
5. Standard AEWV Documents: All AEWV applicants must provide a valid passport, photo, and medical/police certificates. Because GWSV visas are granted for up to 3 years, full health and character checks are mandatory. To prevent delays, make sure you include a complete police certificate, not just proof of application.

Why This Change Matters

In conclusion, these new visa options give NZ employers greater flexibility during busy seasons. They also open more structured opportunities for experienced seasonal workers to return year after year. For applicants, this offers a clear and secure pathway to work in New Zealand’s vital seasonal industries.