Peak Seasonal Visa for New Zealand
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At New Zealand Shores, our licensed immigration advisers have been working with employers and workers on PSV applications since opening day. Whether you are a worker looking to secure your visa before the season starts, or an employer who needs staff fast, we can help you move quickly and correctly.
What Is the New Zealand Peak Seasonal Visa?
The Peak Seasonal Visa is a short-term work visa introduced under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. It targets entry-level and lower-skilled roles that experience sharp, predictable spikes in demand at specific times of year — harvests, processing peaks, lambing season, shearing, and similar cycles.
Unlike the companion Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (which targets more experienced workers across 16 skilled roles), the PSV is designed for workers with at least one season of relevant experience. No English language test is required, and there is no median wage floor — workers simply need to be paid at least the market rate for the role and a minimum of 30 hours per week.
How New Zealand Shores can help
For workers, we provide:
- A free eligibility check to confirm you qualify before you apply
- Full application preparation — we gather your documents, review everything, and lodge on your behalf
- Health insurance guidance and sourcing if needed
- Ongoing liaison with Immigration New Zealand throughout processing
- Advice on re-applying after your stand-down period and whether the GWSV might be available to you in the future
For employers, we provide:
- Accreditation checks and support to ensure you are AEWV-accredited before peak season
- PSV job check preparation and lodgement
- Bulk worker application management across your full seasonal workforce
- Advice on labour market test compliance to protect your accreditation status
Peak Seasonal Visa: Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Visa opened | 8 December 2025 |
| Maximum stay | Up to 7 months |
| Stand-down period | 4 months outside NZ before applying again |
| Experience required | At least 1 season in same/similar role in last 3 years |
| English test | Not required |
| Minimum wage | At least market rate + minimum 30 hours/week |
| Health insurance | Required for stays of 3+ months |
| Chest X-ray | Required for stays of 6+ months (high-TB countries) |
| Partners/dependants | Not permitted under this visa |
| Employer requirement | Must be AEWV-accredited + PSV job check approved |
| Labour market test | Required — employer must advertise role in NZ first |
Peak Seasonal Visa Eligibility: Full Requirements
To be eligible for the New Zealand Peak Seasonal Visa, you must meet all of the following:
1. Job offer from an accredited employer
Your employer must hold AEWV accreditation and have obtained an approved PSV job check for the specific role. The employer is responsible for initiating your application by sending you a unique application link — you cannot apply independently without this link.
2. Role on the PSV jobs list
Your job offer must be for one of the nine roles on the official Peak Seasonal Visa jobs list (see table above) and must occur during or close to a recognised seasonal peak for that industry.
Occupation ANZSCO Code Sector Aquaculture Worker (Mussel/Oyster Farm Worker) 841111 Aquaculture Dairy Farm Cattle Worker — Calf Rearer 841512 Dairy farming Dairy Farm Cattle Worker — Relief Milker 841512 Dairy farming Forestry Worker 841311 Forestry Meat Boner and Slicer 831211 Meat processing Meat Process Worker 831311 Meat processing Seafood Process Worker 831313 Seafood processing Winery Cellar Hand 831118 Wine industry Wool Handler 841517 Sheep farming 3. At least one season of relevant experience
You must have worked at least one season in the same or a similar role within the past three years. “Season” is not rigidly defined but refers to a period of work aligned with an industry’s seasonal cycle. Evidence of this experience is required with your application.
4. Health and character requirements
You must be in good health and of good character. If your intended stay exceeds six months and you have spent significant time in a country with a high incidence of tuberculosis, a chest X-ray certificate is required. A police certificate is usually required if you are aged 17 or over and have lived in New Zealand for 24 months or more cumulatively.
Peak Seasonal Visa vs Global Workforce Seasonal Visa: Which Is Right for You?
New Zealand launched two seasonal work visa types simultaneously in December 2025. Understanding the difference is important before you apply.
| Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) | Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) | |
| Duration | Up to 7 months | Up to 3 years |
| Experience required | 1 season in last 3 years | 3 seasons in last 6 years |
| Number of roles | 9 entry-level roles | 16 skilled roles |
| Labour market test | Yes — employer must advertise | No |
| Stand-down period | 4 months after 7-month stay | 3 months outside NZ per year |
| Partners/dependants | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| English test | Not required | Not required |
| Best suited for | First-time or returning seasonal workers | Experienced multi-season workers |
If you have three or more seasons of experience and your role is on the GWSV list, the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa gives you greater flexibility and a longer stay. If you have one or two seasons of experience, or your role is only on the PSV list, the Peak Seasonal Visa is your pathway. New Zealand Shores can assess which visa is right for your specific situation.
Get Your Free New Zealand Visa Eligibility Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions: New Zealand Peak Seasonal Visa
Who can apply for the New Zealand Peak Seasonal Visa?
Anyone who has a job offer for one of the nine approved PSV roles from an AEWV-accredited employer, and can demonstrate at least one season of relevant experience in the same or a similar role within the past three years. There is no nationality restriction, no English language test, and no minimum age beyond standard visa requirements.
How long can I stay in New Zealand on the Peak Seasonal Visa?
Up to seven months in total across one or more PSVs. Once you have used seven months, you must spend at least four months outside New Zealand before you can be granted another Peak Seasonal Visa.
Do I need to speak English to get the New Zealand Peak Seasonal Visa?
No. English language testing is not required for the Peak Seasonal Visa. This is one of the features that makes the PSV accessible to a wide range of international seasonal workers.
Can I bring my partner or children on the Peak Seasonal Visa?
No. The Peak Seasonal Visa does not permit the holder to sponsor partners or dependants. If you want to bring family members, you would need to explore other visa options. New Zealand Shores can advise on family pathways alongside your work visa.
What experience do I need for the New Zealand Peak Seasonal Visa?
You need at least one season of work experience in the same or a similar role within the past three years. This does not need to be New Zealand experience — overseas seasonal work counts. You will need to provide evidence such as payslips, an employment letter, or a contract from your previous seasonal employer.
Does the employer or the worker apply for the Peak Seasonal Visa?
Both parties play a role. The employer must first obtain AEWV accreditation and an approved PSV job check (which includes a labour market test). We assist employers with these processes all the time. Once approved, the employer provides the worker with a unique application link. New Zealand Shores then submits the visa application online for the worker, using that link.
What is the difference between the Peak Seasonal Visa and the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa?
The Peak Seasonal Visa is for workers with one or more seasons of experience in nine entry-level roles, with a maximum seven-month stay and a mandatory labour market test for the employer. The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa is for more experienced workers (three or more seasons) across 16 skilled roles, offers a three-year stay, and does not require a labour market test. New Zealand Shores can advise which visa fits your profile.
Can a Peak Seasonal Visa lead to permanent residence in New Zealand?
The PSV itself is a short-term work visa and does not directly lead to residence. However, New Zealand experience gained on the PSV may contribute to eligibility for other visa pathways over time. If longer-term residence is your goal, New Zealand Shores can map out the full pathway from seasonal work to residency.