Global Workforce Seasonal Visa 2026: Jobs, Seasons and Key Requirements
New Zealand's Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) is designed for experienced workers who take up eligible seasonal jobs with accredited New Zealand employers.
Introduced as part of New Zealand's seasonal visa reforms, the GWSV became available from 8 December 2025. It can provide a visa valid for up to three years, allowing eligible workers to return for seasonal employment without making a completely new visa application for every season. However, the visa is tightly linked to the approved occupation, employer, location and seasonal conditions.
For 2026 applicants, the most important question is not simply whether a job is "seasonal". The job must be on the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa job list, the employer must have the correct approval, the employment must fit the recognised seasonal period and the worker must meet the experience, skill, health, character and other requirements.
This guide explains the GWSV jobs, typical seasons, eligibility requirements, evidence, application process and key restrictions.
What is the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa?
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa is a New Zealand seasonal work visa under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework.
It is intended for experienced workers in specifically approved seasonal occupations. A successful applicant can work in New Zealand for up to nine months in a year and the visa can be valid for three years. The worker must spend at least three months outside New Zealand during each 12-month period.
The pathway is therefore different from an ordinary year-round AEWV. It is built around recurring seasonal employment.
The GWSV is also employer-supported. You cannot simply apply independently because you have previous seasonal experience. You first need an eligible job offer from an AEWV-accredited employer that has the appropriate GWSV job check approval.
How long can you stay on a GWSV?
A GWSV can be valid for up to three years.
During each year, you can work in New Zealand for up to nine months. You must then spend at least three months outside New Zealand during the relevant 12-month period.
The three months outside New Zealand do not necessarily have to be one continuous trip.
This structure makes the GWSV particularly relevant to workers whose occupations naturally repeat around predictable seasonal peaks.
For example, a worker involved in a New Zealand ski-season occupation may work during the winter season, leave New Zealand after the permitted period and potentially return for another eligible season while the three-year visa remains valid.
Who is the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa for?
The GWSV is aimed at experienced seasonal workers whose occupations appear on the official GWSV job list.
You generally need all of the following:
an eligible seasonal job;
a full-time job offer;
an AEWV-accredited employer;
an approved GWSV job check for the position;
at least 30 hours of work per week;
at least three seasons of relevant experience in the same or similar occupation during the previous six years;
the skills, qualifications or other requirements applicable to the occupation;
the experience and skills required by the employer;
health compliance;
character compliance; and
genuine intentions to comply with the visa conditions.
Meeting one or two of these requirements is not enough. The GWSV is a combination of occupation eligibility, seasonal employment, employer approval and worker eligibility.
What jobs are eligible for the GWSV in 2026?
The current GWSV list contains the following occupation categories:
Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
Agricultural Technician
Chairlift Operator
Flower Grower — tulip growers only
Thoroughbred Yearling Preparer
Snow Groomer
Mountain or Glacier Guide
Outdoor Adventure Instructor
Primary Products Inspector
Shearer
Slaughterer
Snow Sports Instructor
Snow Maker
Snowsport Equipment Technician
Whitewater Rafting Guide
Wine Maker
Winery Senior Cellar Hand
Technicians and Trades Workers NEC — Ski Technician and Surfboard Maker only
The occupation list uses ANZSCO or National Occupation List classifications. The exact occupation definition matters.
This is important because a similar-sounding job is not automatically eligible.
For example, the GWSV Flower Grower category is specifically limited to large-scale commercial tulip growers and specified seasonal peaks. The Thoroughbred Yearling Preparer category also has specific restrictions relating to the type of employer and the purpose of the work.
Therefore, applicants should compare their actual duties and proposed employment with the official occupation definition rather than relying only on a job title.
Is every seasonal agricultural job eligible for GWSV?
No.
This is one of the most important points to understand.
New Zealand has several seasonal work pathways, and the fact that a job is seasonal does not automatically make it a GWSV job.
Some seasonal occupations fall under the separate Peak Seasonal Visa or other seasonal arrangements. The current GWSV list should therefore be checked before an applicant assumes that an agricultural, horticultural, forestry, food-processing or tourism job qualifies.
If you are researching the wider range of seasonal pathways, see our guide to Seasonal Visa New Zealand.
When are GWSV jobs available?
The recognised seasonal period varies by occupation.
Immigration New Zealand publishes indicative hiring months and also recognises that seasons can have "shoulder" periods because of weather, supply-chain issues and other circumstances.
Some important examples include:
Agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operators
The usual season begins around October and finishes around May. It can extend into June or begin as early as part of August.
The average season is approximately nine months, with some variation.
Agricultural technicians
The recognised season generally runs from October through June, with an average duration of about nine months.
Chairlift operators
The normal season runs from June to October and can begin in May.
Tulip growers
The main peak is approximately December to February. Additional peaks may occur between September and May.
The special tulip-grower conditions are important because this is not a general flower-growing category.
Mountain or glacier guides
The recognised pattern includes an October-to-April season and a separate winter period from May to September.
Outdoor adventure instructors
The recognised seasonal periods similarly cover the October-to-April period and a winter season from May to September.
Primary products inspectors
The recognised season generally runs from December through August.
Shearers
The normal season begins around October and finishes around March, potentially extending into April.
Slaughterers
The season generally runs from October through June and may begin in September.
Snow groomers
The snow season generally runs from June to October and may begin in May.
Snow makers
The recognised season generally runs from May through October.
Snow sports instructors
The main season generally runs from June to October, potentially beginning in May.
Snowsport equipment technicians
The recognised season generally runs from June to October and can potentially begin in May.
Thoroughbred yearling preparers
The usual season runs from October through February, although it can begin earlier.
Additional occupation-specific restrictions apply to this category.
Whitewater rafting guides
The season generally runs from October through April and may begin in September or extend into May.
Wine makers
The normal season runs from January through June and may extend into July or August.
Winery senior cellar hands
The recognised season generally begins in January and finishes in June, potentially extending into July or August.
These months should be treated as recognised seasonal guidance rather than a guarantee that a particular employer will have vacancies at a particular time.
The actual job offer and its approved job-check conditions remain critical.
What is the biggest eligibility requirement for GWSV?
For many applicants, the most important personal requirement is the experience rule.
You must have worked for at least three seasons in the same or a similar job during the previous six years.
This is different from simply having three years of employment.
Three seasons of relevant work experience must be demonstrated.
For example, someone who worked for several months during three separate seasonal periods may potentially meet the experience structure, provided the work is sufficiently relevant and falls within the applicable six-year period.
On the other hand, someone who has worked continuously in an unrelated year-round occupation may not meet the GWSV experience requirement merely because they have several years of employment history.
What evidence can prove GWSV work experience?
Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of the relevant seasonal experience.
Examples of acceptable evidence can include:
employer reference letters;
certificates of employment;
payslips;
tax certificates; and
other reliable employment documentation.
A CV or resume by itself is not sufficient.
This is an important practical point.
Applicants should not wait until the visa application stage to discover that they cannot adequately prove previous seasonal employment.
Where possible, evidence should clearly establish:
the employer;
the worker;
the job;
the duties;
the employment dates;
the relevant season; and
the relationship between the work performed and the proposed New Zealand occupation.
Where different documents use different job titles, the applicant should be prepared to explain the connection between the title and the actual duties.
Do you need three seasons in New Zealand?
Not necessarily.
The requirement is based on relevant seasonal experience during the previous six years. The official rule does not say that all three seasons must have been completed in New Zealand.
This means overseas seasonal experience may be relevant if it genuinely demonstrates the required same or similar work.
However, applicants should focus on evidence rather than assumptions. An overseas job title that appears similar may still require supporting documentation showing the duties and nature of the work.
Does GWSV require IELTS or another English test?
No standard English-language test is required for GWSV applications.
Immigration New Zealand's current instructions specifically exempt GWSV and Peak Seasonal Visa applicants from the minimum English-language requirement that applies to certain other AEWV applications.
That does not remove the need to meet the occupation, employment, health, character and other requirements.
Do you need a qualification for GWSV?
It depends on the occupation.
Immigration New Zealand uses ANZSCO or, where applicable, the National Occupation List to assess skill levels and relevant qualification or experience requirements.
Some occupations may have particular qualification, registration, skill or experience requirements.
The applicant therefore needs to establish both:
eligibility for the GWSV itself; and
eligibility to perform the specific occupation.
These are related but not identical questions.
What employer do you need for a GWSV?
Your employer must be an AEWV-accredited employer.
The employer must also have an approved GWSV job check for the position.
The job offer must be:
current when you apply;
full-time;
for at least 30 hours per week;
for an occupation on the GWSV list;
for employment during or close to the relevant seasonal peak;
for at least one season;
from the accredited employer with the approved GWSV job check; and
paid at least the applicable market rate.
The employer's job approval is therefore a fundamental part of the application.
A worker cannot create a GWSV application simply by finding a company that says it is willing to employ them.
Does the employer need to advertise the GWSV job locally?
GWSV-listed occupations are exempt from the ordinary advertising requirement used for many AEWV job checks.
However, that should not be confused with an absence of employer scrutiny.
The employer still needs the appropriate accreditation and job check, and the position must meet the applicable requirements for a genuine seasonal role.
What documents do you need for a GWSV application?
The application should be prepared with complete supporting evidence.
Typical documents include:
signed New Zealand job offer;
employment agreement;
job description;
passport or certificate of identity;
acceptable photograph;
evidence of relevant work experience;
evidence of skills or qualifications where required;
police certificates where required;
medical or chest X-ray evidence where required; and
certified English translations where required.
The employment agreement should clearly identify the employer, worker, position, workplace, duties, hours, employment period, relevant qualifications or experience and pay and employment conditions.
INZ warns that it will not simply hold an incomplete application indefinitely while waiting for missing documents.
What is the GWSV application process?
The process is employer-led.
Step 1: Secure an eligible job
You first need an offer for an eligible seasonal role from an accredited employer.
Step 2: Confirm the employer's GWSV approval
The employer must have the appropriate GWSV job check.
Step 3: Receive the application link
The employer sends the worker the information and unique link needed to apply.
The job token must be approved specifically for GWSV.
A job token approved for an ordinary AEWV or PSV cannot simply be used as a GWSV token.
Step 4: Prepare evidence
Collect employment records, qualifications, identity documents and any required health and character documentation.
Step 5: Submit the online application
The application is submitted through the AEWV application system, with the applicant selecting the GWSV pathway.
Step 6: Pay the applicable fee
The current INZ page displays the GWSV fee as starting from NZD $1,540.
Fees can change, so applicants should confirm the amount immediately before submission.
Step 7: Respond to any INZ request
INZ may request additional information or original documents during processing.
Step 8: Receive the decision
If approved, the applicant receives an eVisa and must comply with the conditions stated on it.
How much does the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa cost?
Immigration New Zealand currently displays the GWSV cost as from NZD $1,540.
The exact amount should be checked at the time of application because immigration fees can change.
The visa fee is separate from other potential expenses such as:
medical examinations;
police certificates;
document translation;
travel;
professional immigration advice, if used; and
other personal relocation expenses.
Applicants should also be aware that New Zealand employers have obligations concerning recruitment costs. Employers must not pass their accreditation, recruitment or operational costs to migrant workers.
Does GWSV have a processing time?
Processing time can change and should be checked using Immigration New Zealand's current processing-time information rather than relying on an old article.
INZ's processing-time system is based on recently completed applications and is updated regularly.
For planning purposes, applicants should allow additional time where documents are incomplete, additional information is requested or health and character checks take longer than expected.
Can you bring your partner or children on a GWSV?
Not through the GWSV itself.
A GWSV holder cannot include a partner or dependent children in the application, and family members are not eligible for visas based on their relationship to the GWSV holder under this category.
This makes family planning an important issue before accepting a seasonal job.
If your intention is to relocate to New Zealand with your family rather than undertake seasonal work alone, you should examine the available visa pathways separately before relying on the GWSV.
Can you change employers on a GWSV?
The GWSV is tied to the employment details recorded on the visa.
You may work only in the approved job, for the approved employer and at the approved location.
If you want to change those conditions, you generally need to apply for a Job Change.
There is an additional restriction: the replacement role must itself be eligible under the GWSV list if you are seeking a Job Change under this pathway.
If the new occupation is not on the GWSV list, a different work visa may be required.
Can you return for a second or third season?
Yes, that is one of the central features of the GWSV.
The visa can be valid for three years and can allow work for up to three seasons, subject to the annual maximum and the requirement to spend the required period outside New Zealand.
For the second and third seasons, the worker must continue to comply with the visa conditions, including the approved employer, occupation, location and pay conditions.
If circumstances change, the appropriate Job Change or other immigration process may be required.
Is the GWSV a pathway to New Zealand residence?
The GWSV itself is a temporary seasonal work visa.
It should not be presented as a direct residence visa.
Some workers may later qualify for another New Zealand visa depending on their occupation, qualifications, employment and circumstances, but that is a separate assessment.
Applicants who have a long-term residence objective should therefore avoid assuming that holding a GWSV automatically creates a residence pathway.
What is the difference between GWSV and the Peak Seasonal Visa?
Both are seasonal AEWV pathways, but they are designed for different seasonal labour situations.
The GWSV is structured around experienced workers in specified skilled seasonal occupations, with at least three seasons of relevant experience during the previous six years.
The Peak Seasonal Visa is a shorter seasonal pathway. It can last up to seven months and requires at least one season of relevant experience during the previous three years.
The PSV also has different employer requirements, including labour-market-related requirements.
This distinction matters when choosing which seasonal visa to investigate.
A worker should start with the occupation and actual job offer rather than choosing a visa first and trying to fit the job into it.
GWSV versus an ordinary AEWV
An ordinary AEWV can cover many jobs that are not on the GWSV list.
The GWSV is narrower because it is specifically tied to approved seasonal occupations and seasonal periods.
If an eligible occupation is being performed outside its seasonal peak, an ordinary AEWV may be relevant instead, subject to its own requirements.
The two should therefore not be treated as interchangeable.
What are the most common GWSV application mistakes?
Mistake 1: Assuming every seasonal job qualifies
Seasonal employment is not the same thing as GWSV-eligible employment.
Always check the official occupation list.
Mistake 2: Relying only on a CV
INZ specifically says a CV or resume is not enough to prove the three-season experience requirement.
Use independent employment evidence.
Mistake 3: Counting unrelated employment as seasonal experience
The experience must be in the same or similar job.
Three unrelated jobs do not automatically create three qualifying seasons.
Mistake 4: Ignoring the seasonal calendar
A valid occupation can still create problems if the proposed employment does not fit the genuine seasonal requirement.
Mistake 5: Confusing an AEWV job token with a GWSV token
The employer's job check must be approved for the correct seasonal visa type.
Mistake 6: Forgetting the three-month absence requirement
The three-year validity of the GWSV does not mean a worker can remain continuously in New Zealand for three years.
Mistake 7: Assuming family members can derive visas from the GWSV
They cannot obtain partner or dependent-child visas based on the GWSV holder's status under this category.
Mistake 8: Treating a job title as proof of occupation
ANZSCO/NOL classification and actual duties matter.
A title such as "technician", "operator" or "guide" may cover very different kinds of work.
A practical GWSV eligibility checklist
Before applying, check these questions:
Is my occupation on the current GWSV list?
Does my actual job match the occupation definition?
Does my role fall within the recognised seasonal period?
Does my employer have AEWV accreditation?
Does the employer have an approved GWSV job check?
Is my job offer for at least 30 hours a week?
Is the offer for at least one season?
Does the employment agreement meet New Zealand requirements?
Do I have three seasons of relevant experience within the previous six years?
Can I prove each season with independent evidence?
Do I meet the occupation's skill, qualification or registration requirements?
Do I meet health and character requirements?
Do I understand the three-month annual absence rule?
Do I understand the family restrictions?
Do I have the correct GWSV job token/application link?
Are all supporting documents complete and correctly translated where necessary?
If several answers are unclear, it is sensible to resolve those issues before submitting an application.
What should employers check before recruiting a GWSV worker?
Employers should confirm:
AEWV accreditation;
the correct GWSV job check;
the occupation;
genuine seasonality;
seasonal timing;
employment agreement requirements;
minimum hours;
market-rate pay;
recruitment obligations;
worker eligibility;
evidence requirements; and
employer compliance responsibilities.
The worker's application and the employer's approval are connected. A strong worker profile cannot compensate for an employer-side approval problem.
Where should applicants verify the latest GWSV rules?
Immigration rules can change, including occupation lists, fees, processing information and operational instructions.
The safest starting point is the official Immigration New Zealand GWSV page and its current jobs and seasonal-duration pages.
For applicants seeking professional assistance, our Global Workforce Seasonal Visa service page provides a route to discuss an individual case.
Final takeaway
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa can provide a structured way for experienced seasonal workers to return to New Zealand across multiple seasons, but it is not a general seasonal-work permit.
The strongest way to assess eligibility is to work through five questions:
Is the occupation eligible? Is the work genuinely seasonal at the proposed time? Is the employer properly approved? Do you have three qualifying seasons of experience? Can you prove that experience?
If the answer to all five is clear, the remaining application requirements become much easier to organise.
Because New Zealand's immigration settings can change, applicants should verify the current Immigration New Zealand rules, occupation list, seasonal dates and fee immediately before applying.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa?
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa is a New Zealand seasonal AEWV pathway for experienced workers in approved seasonal occupations. It can be valid for up to three years, subject to seasonal work and time-outside-New-Zealand requirements.
How many seasons of experience do I need for GWSV?
You need at least three seasons of experience in the same or similar job during the previous six years.
Does GWSV require IELTS?
No. GWSV applicants are not required to meet the standard AEWV minimum English-language requirement.
How long can I work in New Zealand on a GWSV?
You can work for up to nine months in New Zealand each year and must spend at least three months outside New Zealand during each 12-month period.
Can I bring my family on a GWSV?
Not through the GWSV holder's relationship status. Partners and dependent children cannot obtain visas based on the GWSV under this category.
Can I change employers on a GWSV?
You may need a Job Change if you want to change the employer, occupation or location stated on your visa. The replacement employment must satisfy the relevant GWSV conditions.
Is fruit picking covered by the GWSV?
Not simply because it is seasonal. Eligibility depends on the current GWSV occupation list and the exact occupation. Applicants should not assume that ordinary fruit-picking or packing work qualifies under GWSV.
Can I use my CV to prove my three seasons of experience?
No. INZ states that a CV or resume alone is not sufficient. Evidence can include employer references, employment certificates, payslips and tax certificates.
Do I need a job offer before applying?
Yes. You need a full-time job offer from an AEWV-accredited employer with an approved GWSV job check for the position.
What is the current GWSV fee?
Immigration New Zealand currently displays the fee as starting from NZD $1,540. Applicants should confirm the current amount when applying.
Is GWSV a residence visa?
No. It is a temporary seasonal work pathway. Any later residence or other long-term visa option requires a separate assessment against the rules applicable to that pathway.
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