From 8 December 2025 applications will open for two new seasonal visa options under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. These are designed to help accredited New Zealand employers recruit for genuine seasonal work roles.
What Are the Two New Visa Options?
The announcement introduces:
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) — a route for longer-term seasonal work;
The Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) — a route for short-term “peak” seasonal roles.
Key Features & Differences
Some of the standout criteria and features include:
For GWSV:
No requirement for the employer to first advertise the role in New Zealand in some cases (i.e., no labour market test) for genuinely seasonal roles.
The visa can be granted for up to three years.
Applicants must have at least three seasons of relevant seasonal work experience in the last six years.
Applicants may be required to spend a specified period outside New Zealand each year.
English language testing is not required.
For PSV:
Designed for short seasonal work during “peak” times (for example harvest/production peaks) and is for a shorter duration: up to seven months.
Employers must advertise the job in New Zealand and show they have tried to hire New Zealanders (labour market test) for roles under this visa.
Applicants need at least one season of relevant experience in the last three years.
For jobs longer than three months, comprehensive health insurance is required.
Why This Change Matters
These new visa options give employers more flexibility when hiring for seasonal fulfilment. Rather than always using the standard AEWV process, these visas are tailored to genuinely seasonal work demands.
For workers, these visas open defined opportunities to work in New Zealand during seasonal labour-demand peaks, with more tailored rules around duration and experience.
The introduction of both a longer-term seasonal visa (GWSV) and a shorter-term peak seasonal visa (PSV) helps match different kinds of seasonal labour demands (e.g., harvest vs. short-burst tourist season work).
What Applicants and Employers Should Know
Employers need to ensure they are accredited under the AEWV framework, and that the job being offered is genuinely seasonal and meets the criteria of the relevant visa.
For workers: ensure you have the required seasonal experience, understand how long the visa allows you to stay, and any stand-down or outside‐New Zealand stay periods.
Prepare documentation: job offer, employment agreement, proof of past seasonal experience, and depending on the visa type health insurance, etc.
The opening date is 8 December 2025 — applicants and employers should plan ahead so they are ready to apply once the visa pathways open.
Final Thoughts
The December 2025 launch of the GWSV and PSV reflects a tailored approach by Immigration New Zealand to meet seasonal labour needs while providing clarity and better-matched visa options for workers and employers alike. With proper preparation, these options represent real opportunities for international candidates and accredited New Zealand employers.
Source: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/new-seasonal-visas-open-8-december-2025/