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Two New Seasonal Visas Under the AEWV Framework from 8 December 2025

12/11/2025

From 8 December 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will open applications for two new seasonal visa options under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework: the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV).

These visas are designed to make it easier for accredited employers to hire for genuine seasonal roles, while maintaining checks to prevent misuse. Most of their conditions are similar to the standard AEWV, and any change in job conditions will require a Job Change application.

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV)This visa applies to roles that are genuinely seasonal and meet specific criteria:

Employers do not need to advertise the role in New Zealand or prove they attempted to hire a New Zealander before recruiting internationally — no labour market test.
Visas will be granted for up to three years.
Applicants must meet health and character requirements, regardless of intended stay.
Applicants must have at least three seasons of relevant experience within the last six years and spend three months outside New Zealand each year.
English language testing is not required.

Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV)This visa is designed for short peak-period roles and has its own set of requirements:

Employers must advertise the role in New Zealand and prove they tried to hire a New Zealander before recruiting internationally — a labour market test applies.
Employers must either engage with Work and Income in good faith or gain a PSV endorsement.
Visas can last up to seven months, and applicants need at least one season of relevant experience within the last three years.
For roles lasting longer than three months, comprehensive health insurance is required.
English language testing is not required.

What Applicants Need to PrepareApplicants must provide clear and complete evidence that they meet the requirements for their chosen seasonal visa.

Job Offer and Employment Agreement
A job offer and signed employment agreement from an AEWV-accredited employer for an eligible seasonal role. The agreement should clearly state: start and end dates, pay rate, guaranteed hours, and work location.
Seasonal Work Experience
- GWSV: At least three seasons in the same or a similar role within the last six years.
- PSV: At least one season in the same or a similar role within the last three years.
  Acceptable proof includes employer letters, payslips, tax summaries, rosters, or certificates confirming the role, dates, and duties.
Proof of Seasonality
- GWSV: Show that you can spend three months outside New Zealand each year.
- PSV: Show that you can meet the four-month stand-down before applying again.
  Evidence can include travel itineraries, work and travel timelines, or employer letters confirming seasonal cycles.
Health Insurance (for PSV roles longer than three months)
For PSV roles exceeding three months, health insurance must cover urgent and primary care, hospitalisation, prescription medicines, emergency dental care, and medical evacuation or repatriation. Applicants should include the policy certificate, benefits summary, and certified translations if not in English. The policy must be active for the entire employment period.
Standard AEWV Supporting Evidence
Applicants must provide a valid passport and photo, health and character checks, and any supporting forms requested by INZ. Because GWSV visas are valid for up to 36 months, full medical and character checks are required for all applicants. A complete police certificate must be submitted with the application, not just proof of having applied, to avoid delays or possible refusal.

Why These Changes MatterThese new visa options support industries that rely on seasonal labour while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system. The GWSV allows accredited employers to recruit experienced international workers for ongoing seasonal needs, while the PSV addresses short-term peaks in demand.

Final ThoughtsFrom 8 December 2025, seasonal work opportunities in New Zealand will expand under these new visa categories. Applicants and employers should review the eligibility criteria carefully and ensure all required documents are ready before applying.

Source: Immigration New Zealand – New Seasonal Visas Open 8 December 2025

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Immigration Fraudster Sentenced for Fake Job Visa Scheme

30/10/2025

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Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has concluded a major investigation into a visa fraud operation run by 59-year-old Umesh Patel, who has been sentenced to nine months of home detention and six months of post-detention conditions. Patel admitted to multiple charges of forgery and providing false information after creating fake job offers and fraudulent documents to support visa applications.

Patel’s scheme involved migrants paying between $10,000 and $30,000 for fabricated employment arrangements. He used company accounts to circulate funds, creating the illusion of genuine wages to mislead INZ and secure visa approvals. INZ called the scheme “calculated and exploitative,” and confirmed that the immigration status of those involved is now being reviewed.

This case serves as a strong reminder for migrants: do not fall for fake job offers or anyone promising visas through fraudulent documents.

If you need help relocating to New Zealand, check our services and speak with our licensed immigration adviser for genuine, trusted guidance on your visa application.

Source: Immigration New Zealand – Sentencing in Major Immigration Fraud Investigation

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91 New Occupations Added to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) List from 3 November 2025

24/10/2025

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From 3 November 2025, 91 new occupations at skill levels 1 to 3 under the NOL will be recognised for AEWV applications.

This marks a significant widening of the types of roles migrant workers can be hired into via accredited employers.

Why this matters

For employers: More roles can now be filled via the AEWV pathway, subject to accreditation and job-check processes.
For migrants: Opportunities widen for roles at skill levels 1-3 (including some with lower skill levels than previous AEWV roles).
For the labour market: It gives employers more flexibility to fill roles not easily filled locally, and it may help fill skills gaps.
For the immigration system: It reflects the shift from the older ANZSCO classification to the NOL standard.

The process for employers & migrants
Here’s how it works in practice:
For employers:

The employer must first advertise the role and make a genuine attempt to appoint a suitable New Zealander.
If no suitable local candidate is found, the employer must:
- Be accredited under the AEWV scheme.
- Apply for a job check for one of the newly recognised NOL roles (skill level 1-3).
- Ensure the job description and remuneration clearly match the responsibilities and the skill level of the role.

For migrants:
If you’re applying for a role under one of the 91 new occupations:

You must have a job offer from an accredited employer who has been through the job-check process.
Your job must clearly match the role’s responsibilities and skill level.
For some migrants already on AEWVs in directly relevant skill level 4 or 5 roles: you may be able to shift into one of the newly recognised skill level 1-3 roles if you meet:
- At least 3 years’ directly relevant work experience; and
- A recognised qualification.
  If you meet these criteria, you may be able to apply for a further AEWV which extends your maximum continuous stay to 5 years.

What this doesn’t (yet) mean

These 91 occupations are being recognised only for the AEWV (and relevant job-checks). They are not yet recognised for the skilled residence pathways (such as the Skilled Migrant Category). Immigration New Zealand
The NOL is a newer classification standard — it replaced ANZSCO in November 2024 and will be updated annually. Immigration New Zealand
Because the shift to the NOL is being introduced in stages, processes may evolve and you’ll need to check carefully for your specific role, employer situation and eligibility.

What to watch out for / tips

If you’re an employer: Ensure you update your job descriptions and remuneration packages to reflect the skill levels under the NOL and align with the specific occupation code.
If you’re a migrant worker: If you’re moving from a skill level 4 or 5 role to one of the new skill level 1-3 roles, check whether your experience and qualification meet the criteria for eligibility to extend to 5 years.
Ensure you’re using the correct NOL occupation code for your role: mismatches can delay or derail applications. Immigration New Zealand
Stay updated: The list of recognised occupations under the NOL may be updated, so what is eligible now could change in future.
Recognise the difference between work visa eligibility and residence eligibility — the fact a job is eligible for AEWV does not mean it makes you eligible automatically for skilled residence.

Looking ahead
This change signals the government’s intent to make the AEWV scheme more flexible and inclusive of a broader range of occupations — especially in skill levels 1-3. It may open up opportunities for both employers and migrant workers. Over time, as the NOL is further rolled out and updated annually, we may see further changes in what roles are eligible, how recruitment and job-checks operate, and how this links into longer-term residence pathways.

For employer and migrant advisers, it will be increasingly important to stay abreast of these changes, ensure documentation and processes align with the NOL skill levels and codes, and manage transitions for workers already in New Zealand.

Here is the National Occupation List occupations used for an AEWV or SPWV: Immigration New Zealand

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INZ Hub:INZ Updates​ & ​Visa FAQs

Two New Seasonal Visas Under the AEWV Framework from 8 December 2025

Immigration Fraudster Sentenced for Fake Job Visa Scheme

91 New Occupations Added to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) List from 3 November 2025

INZ Hub:
INZ Updates & Visa FAQs