The NZ government has made several announcements over the past year aimed at reforming how seasonal worker visas work — to make them more flexible, better suited to industry needs, and more streamlined. Many of the changes tie into broader reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme (AEWV) and the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV).

New Zealand’s Green List plays a central role in the country’s immigration system, offering streamlined pathways for skilled professionals to live and work here. For employers, it helps fill critical skill shortages; for migrants, it can provide a faster and more secure route to residence.

If you’ve ever applied for a New Zealand visa, you’ll know that one of the most common frustrations is the uncertainty around processing times. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) publishes estimated timeframes for most visa types, but in practice, the reality can vary significantly from case to case.

In mid-2025, the New Zealand government introduced the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, a new visa option aimed at helping parents of New Zealand citizens or residents spend longer periods of time in New Zealand with their families.