Following the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement’s entry into force on October 20, 2026, New Zealand has opened two new work visa pathways exclusively for Indian nationals.
The two new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) visa categories are aimed at highly skilled workers as well as a select group of professionals in occupations considered iconic to India.
The pathways allow a maximum of 5,000 TEE visa holders to be present in New Zealand at any one time, with the majority of available positions tied to skilled roles already on New Zealand’s Green List.
Job offer needed from accredited employer
Applicants must have a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer and meet all required qualifications.
TEE visas have a three-year validity period but do not provide a pathway to permanent residence.
Starting November 16, 2026, post-study work rights will be extended to Indian graduates with New Zealand PhDs.
These graduates will be eligible for post-study work visas for up to four years, one year more than the previous three-year limit.
New Zealand’s Working Holiday Scheme and Student Work Rights
Within two years of the FTA going into effect, a working holiday scheme for Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 will be implemented.
The scheme will have a yearly cap of 1,000 places and will allow successful applicants to work in New Zealand for up to 12 months.
On the student side, eligible students of all nationalities, including Indian students, are currently permitted to work up to 25 hours per week while studying.
The FTA guarantees a minimum of 20 in-study work hours per week for Indian students if New Zealand’s broader policy settings change in the future.
New Zealand’s immigration authority confirmed that all new pathways established under the agreement will follow the country’s established immigration rules, and visa holders must continue to meet all applicable requirements during their stay.
