Changes to health insurance requirements for the Peak Seasonal Visa

From 19 April 2026, health insurance for the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) will change to make it clearer and easier for migrants and employers to meet the requirements.

The changes reflect the health insurance products that are currently available in the New Zealand market and will reduce uncertainty for people applying for, or employers supporting, a Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) application.

What is changing

PSV health insurance requirements will better reflect the insurance products that are currently available, while still maintaining appropriate health protections.

Health insurance will no longer be required to cover repatriation of remains in any circumstances. In line with the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) requirements, compliant insurance may exclude cover for:

• pre-existing conditions
• sexually transmitted infections
• pregnancy and childbirth (except certain complications)
• HIV-related illness
• suicide or attempted suicide
• situations that involve the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs.

Where an excluded event under an insurance policy (such as suicide) results in death, the policy may also exclude cover for the cost of returning someone's body to their home country.

Why the health insurance settings are changing

People on a PSV are not eligible for publicly funded health care, so private health insurance is required where employment is longer than 3 months.

Until now, PSV health insurance requirements have not matched what is available in the New Zealand insurance market. In particular, existing insurance products do not include some of the cover previously required, such as repatriation of remains in any circumstance. This has made it difficult for migrants to obtain compliant insurance and has created uncertainty and delays for employers supporting applications.

What happens to applications submitted before 19 April 2026

Applications submitted before 19 April 2026 will not be disadvantaged.

Applications already in progress will be assessed under transitional arrangements, allowing them to be considered against the updated health insurance requirements. This ensures applications can continue to be processed without unnecessary delay.

What this means for employers and migrants

The PSV itself is not changing. Employers can continue to use the visa to meet short‑term seasonal labour needs, and migrants can continue to work in eligible roles for up to 7 months.

Aligning health insurance requirements with what is available in the market will make it easier for migrants to meet visa requirements and provide greater certainty for employers supporting PSV applications.