New Zealand has introduced two new seasonal visa schemes under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework, allowing Nigerians to apply for jobs abroad in various sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and food processing.
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa are designed to support accredited employers in recruiting overseas workers for short-term roles that coincide with surges in seasonal demands.
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa is tailored for skilled workers undertaking seasonal roles, offering a validity period of up to three years. To qualify, applicants must have completed at least three seasons of work in a related position within the past six years and spend at least three months outside New Zealand annually to retain their eligibility. This visa does not impose a Labour Market Test or English language requirement, providing flexibility for applicants. Eligible roles include agriculture and horticultural mobile plant operators, agriculture technicians, forklift operators, tulip growers, shearers, slaughterers, and snow sports instructors.
On the other hand, the Peak Seasonal Visa is intended for entry-level or lower-skilled seasonal roles, valid for seven months. Applicants must have completed at least one season of relevant work in the past three years and possess comprehensive health insurance. Roles covered under this visa include mussel or oyster farm workers, calf rearers, relief milkers, forestry workers, meat boners and slicers, meat process workers, seafood process workers, winery cellar workers, and wool handlers.
Key details to note are that accredited employers must obtain a job check for the relevant seasonal position before workers apply, and visa holders are not permitted to sponsor visas for partners or dependents. Individuals transitioning from a student or work visa will continue to hold interim work rights while their new visa application is under review. The visa schemes are set to commence on December 8, 2025, not December 6, as some sources may suggest, providing new opportunities for Nigerians seeking international work experience.
A Nigerian visa consultant, Mobolaji Ogundairo, cautions prospective applicants to remain vigilant against fraudulent recruiters and conduct thorough research to verify opportunities. By doing so, applicants can navigate the process smoothly and avoid potential pitfalls.
