New rules by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) coming into effect on 19 April 2026 will make it easier for seasonal workers and employers to meet health insurance requirements under the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV). The changes align visa rules with insurance options actually available in New Zealand, reducing confusion and delays in the application process.
The revised settings mean “health insurance for the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) will change to make it clearer and easier for migrants and employers to meet the requirements,” according to the policy update.
One of the most significant changes is the removal of mandatory coverage for repatriation of remains in all circumstances.
Under the new rules, insurers will also be allowed to exclude certain conditions, including pre-existing illnesses, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy and childbirth except in limited cases. Other exclusions may extend to HIV-related illness, suicide or attempted suicide, and incidents involving alcohol or non-prescribed drugs.
The update further clarifies that “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.”
At the centre of the overhaul is a shift in what insurance policies must cover. While protections will remain in place, requirements will now more closely reflect real-world insurance offerings.
Authorities note that “PSV health insurance requirements will better reflect the insurance products that are currently available, while still maintaining appropriate health protections.”
INZ says the changes address a longstanding mismatch between policy requirements and available insurance products.
“Until now, PSV health insurance requirements have not matched what is available in the New Zealand insurance market,” the statement said, adding that gaps, particularly around repatriation coverage, have made it difficult for migrants to obtain compliant policies.
Because PSV holders are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare, private insurance remains mandatory for employment longer than three months. However, the previous requirements often created “uncertainty and delays for employers supporting applications.”
Applications already lodged will not be affected by the shift.
INZ confirmed that “applications submitted before 19 April 2026 will not be disadvantaged,” with those in progress assessed under transitional arrangements aligned to the updated rules.
Despite the insurance changes, the visa itself remains unchanged.
Employers will still be able to fill short-term labour shortages, and migrants can continue working in eligible roles for up to seven months.
Officials say aligning insurance requirements with market realities will streamline the system overall, noting that it “will make it easier for migrants to meet visa requirements and provide greater certainty for employers supporting PSV applications.”
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