New Zealand Seasonal Visa 2025 for Indians

New Zealand has long been admired for its natural beauty, clean environment, and high quality of life. But beyond tourism, the country also offers opportunities for international workers, especially in sectors that depend on seasonal labour. For many years, agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, and tourism-related industries have relied heavily on temporary overseas workers to meet demand during peak seasons.

With skill shortages becoming more frequent, New Zealand has introduced a structured seasonal visa system—and Indians are among those who can benefit. This guide will give you a complete deep dive (2,000+ words) into what seasonal visas are, the new 2025 pathways, eligibility rules, benefits for Indian citizens, industry insights, expected salaries, and how to apply successfully.

Why Does New Zealand Need Seasonal Workers?

New Zealand has a small population of just over 5 million people, yet its agriculture and tourism industries are globally competitive. Labour shortages occur frequently during:

Harvest seasons (apples, kiwifruit, grapes, berries, hops)
Winemaking seasons (cellar workers, wine makers, viticulture)
Forestry planting and thinning
Ski tourism and hospitality (ski instructors, snow groomers, hospitality staff)
Seafood and aquaculture (mussel farm workers)

Local workers are not always available in sufficient numbers, so the government created visa categories to allow overseas workers to fill these temporary gaps. Seasonal visas are a win-win: industries get the staff they need, while migrants gain employment and international work experience.

What Is the New Zealand Seasonal Visa?

Seasonal visas are temporary work permits that let foreigners come to New Zealand to work for specific industries during high-demand months. They are not permanent residency visas but can open doors for future migration opportunities.

From 8 December 2025, two new seasonal visa categories will be introduced under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework:

1. Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)

For skilled seasonal roles such as snow groomer, mountain guide, shearer, wine maker.
Valid for up to 3 years.
Workers must spend at least 3 months outside NZ each year.
Requires 3 seasons of experience in the past 6 years.
No English language requirement.
No labour market test for employers (faster processing).

2. Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)

For entry-level seasonal roles like forestry worker, meat process worker, mussel farm worker, wool handler, cellar assistant.
Valid for 7 months, followed by a mandatory 4-month break before reapplying.
Requires 1 season of experience in the past 3 years.
Must have comprehensive health insurance.
Employers must be endorsed by Work and Income NZ.

Other Seasonal Visa Options (Until 2025)

While waiting for GWSV and PSV, applicants can explore:

Specific Purpose Work Visa (Temporary Seasonal Sub-category): Valid for up to 9 months for jobs starting on or before 31 May 2025. Employers must be accredited, and wages start at NZD 29.66/hour.
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited Visa: For workers from Pacific Island nations only (not available for Indians).
Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Visa: For those already in NZ on a visitor or student visa who want to work in horticulture or viticulture for up to 6 months.

Eligibility for Indians – Who Can Apply?

Indians are eligible for most seasonal visa types (except RSE). To apply, you must:

Be 18 years or older.
Have a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
Meet experience requirements (depending on visa type).
Have health insurance (for PSV and some temporary visas).
Provide a clean criminal record and medical clearance.
Show intention to return home after the visa ends (unless transitioning to another visa).

Benefits of the Seasonal Visa for Indian Applicants

No English language requirement – Unlike most work visas, seasonal visas don’t require IELTS or TOEFL.
Short processing times – Employers often expedite applications during urgent labour shortages.
Good earnings – Average pay ranges from NZD 29.66/hour to NZD 32/hour, much higher than typical wages in India.
Valuable global experience – Working in NZ’s world-class agricultural and tourism industries boosts career prospects.
Pathway to skilled migration – GWSV can lead to more permanent opportunities if you transition into long-term work categories.
Direct recognition of Indian qualifications – Since June 2025, many Indian degrees no longer require extra assessment for NZ visas.

Industries Hiring Seasonal Workers in New Zealand

1. Agriculture and Horticulture

Fruit pickers, orchard workers, packhouse staff.
Regions: Hawke’s Bay, Bay of Plenty, Nelson, Marlborough.

2. Viticulture and Winemaking

Vineyard workers, cellar hands, wine makers.
Peak season: March–May (grape harvest).

3. Forestry

Tree planting, thinning, log handling.
High demand for physically fit workers.

4. Tourism & Hospitality

Ski instructors, snow groomers, hotel staff, guides.
Regions: Queenstown, Wanaka, Mount Ruapehu.

5. Seafood & Aquaculture

Mussel farm workers, oyster shuckers.
Regions: Marlborough Sounds, Northland.

Expected Salaries for Seasonal Workers

Industry	Average Pay (NZD/hour)	Monthly Income (NZD, 40 hrs/week)	Monthly Income (INR approx.)
Fruit picking/packing	29.66 – 31	4,750 – 5,000	₹2.4 – 2.6 lakh
Viticulture/winemaking	30 – 32	4,800 – 5,100	₹2.5 – 2.7 lakh
Forestry	30 – 32	4,800 – 5,100	₹2.5 – 2.7 lakh
Hospitality (ski jobs)	29.66 – 30.50	4,700 – 4,880	₹2.3 – 2.5 lakh
Mussel farming	29.66 – 31	4,750 – 5,000	₹2.4 – 2.6 lakh

Note: Overtime, seasonal bonuses, and accommodation support can increase total earnings.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Find an Accredited Employer
Search official Immigration NZ job listings or work with agencies.
Receive a Job Offer
Employers will issue a formal employment contract.
Prepare Documentation
- Passport
- Job offer letter
- Work experience proof
- Medical certificate
- Health insurance (if required)
Apply Online
Submit through immigration.govt.nz.
Visa Processing & Approval
Processing times range from 4–8 weeks, depending on demand.

Case Study: Raj from Punjab

Raj, a 28-year-old graduate from Punjab, applied for the Specific Purpose Work Visa in early 2025. He secured a job in kiwifruit harvesting in the Bay of Plenty region.

He earned NZD 30/hour, working around 45 hours weekly.
Monthly earnings were NZD 5,400 (₹2.8 lakh).
His employer provided subsidized accommodation at NZD 120/week.
Raj plans to reapply under the Peak Seasonal Visa in 2026 to continue working in NZ.

This demonstrates how Indian workers can build careers abroad starting with seasonal visas.

Pros and Cons of Seasonal Work in New Zealand

Pros

High wages compared to India
Beautiful working environments (vineyards, orchards, ski fields)
Cultural exchange and international exposure
No IELTS requirement

Cons

Temporary by nature (not permanent residency)
Physically demanding work
Limited family sponsorship opportunities
Must leave after contract ends (unless transitioning to new visa)

Tips for Indian Applicants

Apply early – Seasonal roles fill quickly before harvest or ski seasons.
Highlight relevant experience – Even work on family farms in India can count.
Arrange health insurance – Mandatory for PSV and some seasonal categories.
Stay informed – Immigration policies may change; check updates regularly.

Final Thoughts

New Zealand’s seasonal visa program is a gateway to high-paying short-term work and international exposure. For Indians, the lack of language requirements, recognition of qualifications, and fair wages make it an attractive option. While not a direct pathway to permanent residency, the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) starting in December 2025 offer structured opportunities to build experience and income abroad.

If you are an Indian looking to combine earnings, adventure, and career growth, New Zealand’s seasonal visa program may be the perfect starting point.

New Zealand Seasonal Visa Guide for Indians: Benefits, Eligibility & Application