New Zealand introduces temporary visa for seasonal workers

Immigration New Zealand has announced the introduction of a new temporary visa for seasonal workers. This measure aims to meet the need of accredited employers for seasonal labor.

The temporary visa for seasonal work is available to applicants over the age of 18 and is issued for up to 9 months, provided the candidate has already worked in a similar position for at least 4 months and will begin their duties no later than May 31, 2025.

Seasonal jobs are directly related to the time of year and weather conditions, such as agricultural work and ski season.

The range of occupations covered by the new temporary visa is broad and includes agriculture (harvesting), winter sports (instructors, ratrack operators), winemaking (grape picking), forestry (tree planting) and extreme tourism (water sports, bungee jumping).

There are strict requirements for the position and employer: the employer must be accredited, the position wage must be at least NZ$29.66 per hour, and the work week must be at least 30 hours.

Temporary seasonal visa applications must be submitted by March 31, 2025.

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