By Emeka Blast 
New Zealand Launches Updated Seasonal Visa Routes
Wellington, New Zealand – The New Zealand government has unveiled two new visa pathways under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework, set to launch on December 8, 2025, to tackle persistent labour shortages in seasonal industries. The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV), announced by Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, aim to bolster sectors like agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and winemaking while prioritizing job opportunities for New Zealanders, per Immigration New Zealand and Pathways to New Zealand.
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) targets highly skilled seasonal workers, such as agricultural technicians, snow sports instructors, and winemakers, offering a multi-entry visa valid for up to three years. Applicants must have at least three seasons of relevant experience in the past six years and spend a minimum of three months outside New Zealand annually, per Working In New Zealand. No Labour Market Test or English language requirement is needed, and employers must secure a job check for eligible roles, per Immigration New Zealand.
The Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) is designed for lower-skilled, short-term roles like meat and seafood processing, calf-rearing, and wool handling, with a validity of up to seven months. Applicants need at least one season of relevant experience in the past three years and comprehensive health insurance. After the visa expires, holders must leave New Zealand for at least four months before reapplying, per Pathways to New Zealand. Both visas prohibit including partners or dependents, and employers must engage with Work and Income to prioritize local workers, per HRD New Zealand.
The visa pathways respond to critical labour shortages during peak seasons, particularly in agriculture and tourism, which contribute significantly to New Zealand’s economy. “These visas reflect the realities of seasonal work and the diverse skill levels involved,” Stanford said, emphasizing the balance between supporting businesses and protecting local employment, per HRD New Zealand. Business NZ chief executive Katherine Rich welcomed the move, stating, “Seasonal industries make an outsized contribution to New Zealand’s economy. These changes mean more certainty for employers,” per HRD New Zealand.
The announcement follows a 2024 reform to the AEWV, which removed median wage thresholds and reduced experience requirements, per Erickson Immigration Group. Existing temporary pathways, like the Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) Visa for those already in New Zealand on student or visitor visas, will remain available until December, per Immigration New Zealand.
The initiative has sparked positive reactions, with @NZImmigration tweeting, “New seasonal visas launching Dec 8! Great news for our farmers and tourism sector! 🇳🇿 #NZVisa,” per X posts. Industry leaders, via Woburn International, praised the flexibility, noting it ensures “critical industries can operate smoothly without compromising quality.” However, some expressed concerns about local job prioritization, with @KiwiJobsFirst posting, “Hope these visas don’t sideline our workers. Kiwis first, right? #NZEmployment.”
Set to launch on December 8, 2025, the GWSV and PSV aim to streamline access to experienced seasonal workers while fostering local talent development through skills training programs, per bwtravel.com. Employers and migrants can seek guidance from licensed immigration advisers, with New Zealand Shores emphasizing the importance of meeting eligibility criteria to avoid application delays. As New Zealand prepares for its peak seasons, these visas signal a strategic effort to sustain economic growth while navigating global labour demands.
