Immigration Overhaul: New Seasonal Visas Introduced as Migrant Exploiter is Jailed for 14 Years
Wellington, New Zealand – November 14, 2025 – Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is implementing a significant overhaul of its seasonal work visa framework with the launch of two new categories under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, effective December 8, 2025. This move, designed to streamline hiring for genuine seasonal roles, comes alongside a severe sentencing in a major migrant exploitation case, underscoring the government’s dual focus on meeting workforce demand while cracking down on criminal misuse of the visa system.
New Seasonal Visas Open December 8: GWSV and PSV
The two new visa options, the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV), are tailored to the distinct needs of seasonal industries like horticulture and tourism:
| Feature | Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) | Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) |
| Duration | Up to 3 years | Up to 7 months |
| Labour Market Test (LMT) | Not Required (Employer does not need to advertise locally) | Required (Employer must advertise locally/engage Work and Income) |
| Experience Req. | At least 3 seasons in the last 6 years | At least 1 season in the last 3 years |
| Seasonal Break | Must spend 3 months outside NZ each year | Mandatory 4-month stand-down before re-applying for a PSV |
| Health Insurance | Standard checks apply | Mandatory if the role is longer than 3 months |
Both visas require applicants to meet health and character requirements, and neither requires English language testing. INZ states the goal is to make it easier for accredited employers to bring back experienced seasonal workers while maintaining checks to prevent misuse.
Justice Served: Exploitative Employer Jailed for 14 Years
The announcement of the new, regulated pathways is directly juxtaposed with a major criminal conviction, reinforcing Immigration New Zealand’s commitment to protecting migrant workers.
Parminder Singh, 46, a director and shareholder of a labour supply company operating in the Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, and Manawatū regions, was sentenced in the Napier District Court to 14 years and 2 months’ imprisonment for serious offences against two employees.
Singh was found guilty of rape and unlawful sexual connection, as well as migrant exploitation (2 years concurrent sentence) and stupefying (3 years concurrent sentence).
The case, known as Operation Wentworth, began after a victim bravely came forward to INZ with concerns about migrant exploitation. This led to a joint investigation with the New Zealand Police, which uncovered the full extent of Singh’s criminal actions.
“This outcome shows the tireless work of investigators and determination of both teams to hold Mr Singh accountable for his actions,” said Jason Perry, National Manager Immigration Investigations.
Immigration New Zealand and the Police urged any victims of exploitation or criminal offending to report it immediately, assuring the public that all allegations are taken seriously.
The introduction of the GWSV and PSV signifies a targeted effort to refine immigration settings for seasonal work, but the severe sentencing of Parminder Singh sends a clear message that the exploitation of vulnerable temporary workers will be met with the full force of the law.
