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PSV — Peak Season Visa
VisasNew ZealandPSV — Peak Season Visa
New ZealandNew Zealand•Oceania
Open

PSV — Peak Season Visa

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

4 weeks

Application Fee

1,540 NZD

Stay Duration

7 months

Renewable

No

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

No

Remote Work

Not Required

Overview

Short-term New Zealand work visa (up to 7 months) for seasonal roles with an AEWV-accredited employer, NZD 1,540 fee.

The Peak Season Visa (PSV) is a temporary work visa issued by Immigration New Zealand under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. It addresses recurring labour shortages in seasonal industries such as horticulture, viticulture, meat and seafood processing, dairy, forestry, and aquaculture.

The PSV costs NZD 1,540 and allows up to 7 months total, after which the holder must spend 4 months outside NZ before another PSV. Applicants need a full-time offer from an AEWV-accredited employer for a listed seasonal role, one season of relevant experience in the last 3 years, and medical cover for contracts over 3 months. AEWV processing averages 4 weeks; no English test or dependents.

This visa is ideal for experienced seasonal workers with a confirmed offer in NZ primary industries who can travel solo and accept a mandatory off-season break.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant7 months

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must have a full-time job offer from an AEWV-accredited employer.

Job must be on the Peak Seasonal Visa job list.

Must have worked at least 1 season of relevant experience in the last 3 years.

Employer must have an approved job check for a Peak Seasonal Visa job.

Employer must have conducted a labor market test (advertised locally) and engaged with Work and Income.

Must be in good health and of good character.

Must have acceptable medical insurance if the job offer is over 3 months.

Must spend at least 4 months outside New Zealand after 7 months of work.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

Experience

1+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport and photo.

Signed employment agreement.

Evidence of at least 1 season of relevant work experience.

Medical and police certificates (if required).

Proof of comprehensive health insurance (for contracts over 3 months).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Fast-track AEWV-stream processing — average ~4 weeks, most within 6 weeks
  • Modest single fee of NZD 1,540 with no separate employer-paid surcharge to the worker
  • Up to 7 months of full-time work (minimum 30 hours/week) at NZ market pay
  • No English-language test required
  • Repeatable each season after a 4-month stand-down — supports a circular-migration career
  • Open across multiple primary sectors (horticulture, viticulture, dairy, seafood, forestry, aquaculture)

Worth Knowing

  • Mandatory 4 consecutive months outside New Zealand between PSVs
  • Requires at least one season of relevant experience in the last 3 years
  • Comprehensive medical insurance required for any contract longer than 3 months
  • Tied to a specific AEWV-accredited employer and listed Peak Seasonal occupation
  • Job must come from an employer with an approved Peak Seasonal Visa job check
  • Partners and dependent children cannot be included in the application
  • No direct pathway to permanent residence
  • Only available for occupations on the Peak Seasonal Visa job list

Application Process

1

Secure job offer

2

Gather documents

3

Apply online

4

Pay fee

Verified Claims (8)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Dependent Visanoimmigration.govt.nz
Fee BreakdownApplication fee: 1540 NZDimmigration.govt.nz
FeesNZD 1,540immigration.govt.nz
Max Total Yearsnullimmigration.govt.nz
Petitioneremployerimmigration.govt.nz
Processing Estimates{"type":"average","value":"4 weeks","note":"AEWV-track average from INZ work-visa wait-times page"};…immigration.govt.nz
Processing TimeAround 4 weeks on average; most decisions within 6 weeks (AEWV track).immigration.govt.nz
Spouse Can Worknoimmigration.govt.nz

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