New Zealand•OceaniaGWSV — Global Workforce Seasonal Visa
At a Glance
Varies
NZD $1,540
3 years
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
No dependents
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Three-year seasonal work visa for experienced workers in NZ's primary-sector peak periods, sponsored by AEWV-accredited employers.
Issued by Immigration New Zealand, the Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa (MEPV) lets migrants on an employer-tied work visa exit an exploitative job while authorities investigate. Applicants must be in New Zealand, hold a current employer-specific visa, and present a Report of Exploitation Assessment Letter (RoEAL) from Employment New Zealand.
Applications must be lodged within 1 month of the RoEAL and are exempt from all standard charges (NZD $0, including the Immigration Levy and IVL). The visa is granted for up to 6 months or the remaining current-visa term and carries open work rights for any lawful NZ employer. It is non-renewable since 31 October 2024.
This visa is ideal for migrants on an employer-tied work visa who have credibly reported exploitation and need fast, fee-free permission to work for any lawful NZ employer.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 3 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
New ZealandRequirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Full-time job offer (at least 30 hours/week) from an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) accredited employer
Role must be on the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa job list and the employer must hold an approved GWSV job check for it
At least 3 seasons of experience in the same or similar job within the last 6 years
Meet the ANZSCO or National Occupation List (NOL) skill level and qualifications for the role
Be in good health and of good character (medical, chest X-ray, police certificates as required)
Have a genuine intention to meet visa conditions
Paid at least the market rate for the job
Spend at least 3 months outside New Zealand between seasons (in any 12-month period)
KEY CRITERIA
Experience
3+ years
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Signed copy of the New Zealand job offer covering the first season
Copy of the employment agreement and job description
Scan of passport or certificate of identity (valid for at least 3 months after planned departure)
One acceptable visa photo
Evidence of at least 3 seasons of relevant experience (employer references, certificates of employment, payslips or tax certificates — CV alone is not sufficient)
Evidence of meeting the job's ANZSCO/NOL skill, qualification and (if applicable) NZ registration requirements
Chest X-ray and medical certificate (less than 3 months old) from a panel physician, if requested
Police certificates (less than 6 months old) from countries of citizenship and any country lived in 5+ years since age 17, if requested
Certified English translations of any non-English documents
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Visa valid 3 years, covering up to 3 seasons of work in New Zealand
- Full-time, accredited-employer-sponsored work with at least 30 hours per week guaranteed
- Designed for circular workers — return season after season for the same role without re-applying
- Must be paid at least the market rate for the job, set by INZ
- Health and character checks reused across applications within 24 months
- Application is fully online via an employer-supplied invitation link
Worth Knowing
- Application fee from NZD $1,540, payable up front
- Mandatory 3 months outside New Zealand in any 12-month period between seasons
- Restricted to occupations on the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa job list
- Tied to the specific accredited employer, occupation and location — changes need a Job Change
- Requires evidence of at least 3 seasons of relevant experience in the past 6 years
- Partners and dependent children cannot be included or sponsored on this visa
- No pathway to permanent residence — visa is explicitly circular and capped at 3 seasons
- Job offer must come from an AEWV-accredited employer with an approved GWSV job check — without this you cannot apply
Application Process
Receive a full-time seasonal job offer and unique application link from an AEWV-accredited employer with an approved GWSV job check
Gather documents
signed employment agreement, passport, photo, evidence of 3 seasons of experience, and (if requested) medical/X-ray and police certificates
Submit the online application via the employer-supplied link and pay the visa fee (from NZD $1,540)
Complete any requested health or character checks via a panel physician and respond to any additional information requests from INZ
Related visas
More visas in New Zealand
Work visas in other countries
- EU Blue Card
Netherlands
- S Pass
Singapore
- Short-Term Employment Visa
Papua New Guinea
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