Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) – Your Gateway to Seasonal Work in New Zealand

Overview

The Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) is designed for workers looking to support New Zealand industries during their busiest times of the year. This visa allows you to work in New Zealand for up to 7 months in entry-level or lower-skilled roles that are critical to the NZ economy.

If you have some prior seasonal experience and want a fast, straightforward way to work in New Zealand without taking an English test, the PSV is the ideal option.

Key Benefits

• Short-Term & Flexible: Work for up to 7 months during the peak season.
• No English Language Test: No IELTS or PTE required.
• Wide Range of Sectors: Covers agriculture, meat processing, forestry, and seafood.
• Earn in NZD: Enjoy competitive pay rates and New Zealand working conditions.

Who Is This For? (Eligible Roles)

The PSV focuses on roles where demand spikes sharply for a few months. Eligible jobs include:

• Meat and Seafood Process Workers (Boners, Slicers, Filleting)
• Winery Cellar Hands
• Forestry Workers
• Calf Rearers and Relief Milkers
• Mussel or Oyster Farm Workers
• Wool Handlers

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Peak Seasonal Visa, you must:

• Have Experience: Prove you have worked at least 1 seasonal period in a similar role within the last 3 years.
• Job Offer: Have a confirmed job offer from an Accredited Employer.
• Mandatory Stand-Down: After your 7-month visa expires, you must leave New Zealand for at least 4 months before applying again.
• Health Insurance: Required if your job contract is longer than 3 months.

Important Note for Employers

Unlike the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV), employers hiring under the Peak Seasonal Visa must perform a labour market test (advertising locally) and engage with Work and Income (MSD) before offering the job to a migrant worker.

How to Apply

Applications open 8 December 2025.

1. Your employer completes the Job Check and labour market testing.
2. You receive a job token and submit your application with proof of your previous season’s experience.
3. Approval is typically faster than standard work visas due to the seasonal urgency.

Ready to work this season?

Don’t let a small mistake in your experience history delay your visa. Our licensed immigration advisers can review your documents to ensure a smooth approval.