Seasonal Work Visa NZ 2026: Requirements & Options

New Zealand’s seasonal work visas offer a practical path to earning an income while experiencing some of the country’s most iconic industries — from kiwifruit orchards in the Bay of Plenty to vineyard work in Marlborough. With several visa pathways available in 2026, the right choice depends on your nationality, age, and whether you already have a job offer. This guide breaks down the options, requirements, and what to expect when applying.

Maximum stay (GWSV): 9 months ·
Minimum weekly hours: 30 ·
Minimum wage (2025): NZD $23.15 per hour ·
Accredited employers: Over 1,000

Five visa types, each with a different trade-off: the table below lays out the key specifications side by side so you can see which pathway fits your situation.

How to get a New Zealand seasonal work visa?

1. Step 1: Find an accredited employer
   • Search the official list of accredited employers on the Immigration New Zealand (official visa page) — over 1,000 employers are currently accredited.
   • Accredited employers span horticulture, viticulture, hospitality, and other seasonal industries.
2. Step 2: Get a job offer with at least 30 hours per week
   • For the GWSV, the job offer must guarantee a minimum of 30 hours per week (Immigration New Zealand (official visa page)).
   • The wage must meet or exceed the minimum wage of NZD $23.15 per hour (2025 rate).
3. Step 3: Apply for the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa
   • Applications are submitted online through the Immigration New Zealand (official visa page).
   • The application fee is approximately NZD $495.
4. Step 4: Provide required documents
   • A valid passport with at least 3 months validity beyond your intended stay.
   • Police certificate if you are aged 17 or older — must be less than 6 months old (Immigration New Zealand (official visa page)).
   • Evidence of health insurance is recommended.
5. Step 5: Wait for approval
   • Processing times vary; check current estimates on the Immigration New Zealand website.
   • Apply well before your intended start date to allow for any delays.

The implication: securing an accredited employer is the single most important step; without it, the pathway is blocked.

What are the requirements for a New Zealand seasonal work visa?

Age requirements

• No specific age limit for the GWSV, but you must be 18 or older.
• The RSE Limited Visa also requires applicants to be aged 18 or older (Immigration New Zealand (RSE visa page)).
• The SSE Work Visa requires applicants to be 18 or older (Immigration New Zealand (SSE visa page)).
• Working Holiday Visas are capped at ages 18-30 for most countries, and 18-35 for a select few (Immigration New Zealand (Working Holiday eligibility)).

Health and character requirements

• Health insurance is strongly recommended for all visa types.
• A police certificate less than 6 months old is required for GWSV applicants aged 17 or older (Immigration New Zealand (official visa page)).
• The Peak Seasonal Visa also requires a police certificate if the applicant is 17+ and the total time in NZ will be 24 months or longer (Immigration New Zealand (PSV visa page)).
• RSE applicants must meet health, character, bona fide, and medical insurance requirements (Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual (RSE instructions)).

Proof of funds

• While not always explicitly required upfront, having sufficient funds to support yourself during the first few weeks is advisable.
• Some visa types may require evidence of a return ticket or sufficient funds for onward travel.

Valid passport

• Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from New Zealand.

The catch: age restrictions on the Working Holiday Visa mean that older applicants must rely on employer sponsorship, which makes the job search even more critical.

Can I apply for a New Zealand work visa without a job offer?

Working Holiday Scheme as alternative

• Working Holiday Visas allow young people from recognised countries to work and travel in New Zealand, normally for up to 12 months, without a specific job offer (Immigration New Zealand (Working Holiday overview)).
• Capped schemes for 2026 have published opening dates — apply as soon as they open (Immigration New Zealand (news centre)).

Other visa options without employer sponsorship

• Visitor visas do not permit work, so they are not an alternative for seasonal employment.
• The SSE Work Visa requires you to already be in New Zealand on a visitor or student visa before applying (Immigration New Zealand (SSE visa page)).

Benefits of having a job offer

• For the GWSV, PSV, and RSE visas, a job offer is mandatory — there is no pathway without one.
• Having a job offer in hand significantly speeds up the application process and provides clarity on visa conditions.

The implication: if you don’t meet the Working Holiday criteria, your only route is securing an accredited employer first.

How to find a seasonal job in New Zealand?

Use accredited employer list from Immigration NZ

• The official Immigration New Zealand (official visa page) provides a list of accredited employers — over 1,000 are currently registered.
• Focus your job search on employers already set up to sponsor visas. For a detailed comparison of pathways, see our seasonal work visa comparison guide.

Search job portals like Indeed NZ

• Job boards such as Indeed NZ, Seek, and Trade Me Jobs list seasonal positions across horticulture, viticulture, and hospitality.
• Filter by “seasonal” or “temporary” to find roles that match visa requirements.

Contact seasonal recruitment agencies

• Specialist agencies connect workers with seasonal employers, particularly in the horticulture and viticulture sectors.
• Some agencies focus specifically on placing international workers with accredited employers.

Apply for positions in horticulture and viticulture

• Common seasonal jobs include kiwifruit picking, vineyard pruning and harvesting, apple and pear picking, and general orchard work.
• Hospitality roles in tourist regions also qualify under the Peak Seasonal Visa.

The pattern: accredited employers are the gatekeepers; focusing your search on them increases your chances significantly.

What seasonal work visa options are available for 2026?

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)

• Introduced in 2023, replacing previous seasonal visa schemes (Immigration New Zealand (official visa page)).
• Allows up to 9 months stay with a minimum of 30 hours per week.
• Open to most nationalities with an accredited employer.

Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

• Launched in 2024 for specific industries including horticulture and hospitality (Immigration New Zealand (PSV visa page)).
• Allows up to 7 months stay.
• Employer-sponsored with a focus on the peak season.

Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa (RSE)

• Primarily for workers from eligible Pacific nations (Immigration New Zealand (RSE visa page)).
• Eligible countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu (Immigration New Zealand (RSE visa page)).
• Allows up to 7 months per 11-month period, with an extra 2 months for citizens of Tuvalu and Kiribati who live there (Immigration New Zealand (RSE visa page)).
• Limited to horticulture work.

The implication: knowing which pathway aligns with your nationality and age is essential before you start applying.

For a worker from Ireland or the UK looking at seasonal work in New Zealand, the choice is straightforward: the GWSV offers the longest stay at 9 months and the broadest industry access, while the Working Holiday Visa provides flexibility to travel and find work after arrival. The catch is the age cap — if you’re over 30, the GWSV is the only realistic seasonal pathway. For workers from Pacific nations, the RSE visa remains the most established route, with the added benefit of extended stays for Tuvalu and Kiribati citizens. The implication for 2026 is clear: apply early, secure an accredited employer first, and ensure your documents — especially police certificates — are current.