New Zealand Introduced Seasonal Work Visas to Support Workforce Recruitment

New Zealand Immigration introduced a significant update to its temporary work visa system last month. Two new seasonal work visa categories were launched as part of its efforts to manage workforce shortages in sectors that depend heavily on short-term labour.

These new visas, the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) and the Global Seasonal Visa, opened for applications from December 8, 2025, and operate under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. This update is aimed at supporting smoother recruitment during peak seasons while maintaining regulated entry for overseas workers.

Why These Seasonal Work Visas Were Introduced and What They Cover

New Zealand’s seasonal industries often face short-term labour shortages during peak periods. Sectors such as agriculture, food processing and hospitality need additional workers for limited durations when demand increases.

The Peak Seasonal Visa and the Global Seasonal Visa were introduced to fill these temporary gaps more efficiently. Both visas are designed for employment linked to seasonal demand, rather than long-term roles.

Since the visas operate under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework, employers must meet accreditation requirements and roles must be approved by New Zealand Immigration.

Difference Between the Peak Seasonal Visa and the Global Seasonal Visa

Both the Peak Seasonal Visa and the Global Seasonal Visa are designed to support seasonal hiring, but they serve different purposes or labour demand.

The Peak Seasonal Visa is intended for periods when labour demand increases sharply for a short time, such as during the harvest season or peak tourism months, where employers need additional workers for a limited period.

The Global Seasonal Visa, however, is aimed at seasonal work that may be needed at different times throughout the year, such as year-round food processing operations, or businesses that face repeated seasonal demand. Both visas operate under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework (AEWV) and are managed by New Zealand Immigration.

Who Can Apply

New Zealand Immigration has outlined the core requirements for applicants under the new seasonal work visa categories. These visas are intended for overseas workers seeking temporary job roles in sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, food processing, etc, due to seasonal demands.

To be eligible for these visas, applicants must have a valid job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand. The job must meet seasonal requirements and be approved under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. AEWV ensures that roles offered under these visas are genuine, time-bound and aligned with labour needs during peak demand.

Applicants must also meet standard visa conditions, including health and character requirements. These visas do not provide a pathway to permanent residence or long-term work in New Zealand, since they are designed for short-term employment.

All applications and job approvals are assessed and monitored by New Zealand Immigration, which oversees compliance for both employers and workers under the seasonal work visa system.

Source: https://www.y-axis.com/news/nz-immigration-seasonal-work-visas-aewv-dec-8/