India–New Zealand FTA Takes Effect: New Visa Pathways for Skilled Workers, Students and Graduates
Updated: 43 minutes ago
WELLINGTON, October 20, 2026 — The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement entered into force today, bringing with it a set of visa commitments designed to address New Zealand’s skills shortages while opening new mobility routes for Indian nationals. The changes, set out in Immigration New Zealand’s official announcement, introduce two new work visa categories, expanded post-study rights for doctoral graduates, a guaranteed minimum for in-study work, and a future working holiday scheme.
Two New Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) Visa Pathways
The centrepiece of the agreement is the Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) framework, which establishes two separate visa categories available from today.
Pathway | Focus | Quota |
India Skilled Work Visa | Highly skilled occupations, with most places allocated to roles on New Zealand‘s Green List | Shared cap of 5,000 holders at any one time |
India Iconic Work Visa | A limited set of professions considered culturally significant to India | Approximately 600 places reserved within the cap |
Together, the two pathways allow up to 5,000 TEE visa holders in New Zealand at any one time. The scheme is not a route to residence: TEE visas are valid for three years and do not provide a pathway to permanent residency.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must satisfy six core conditions:
A qualifying job offer in hand before applying
The offer must be from an accredited employer
Qualifications relevant to the role offered
English language proficiency
Health standards
Character and identity checks
The Green List focus means the majority of TEE places are tied to occupations New Zealand has already identified as skill shortage areas. Sectors specifically cited include IT, healthcare, engineering and education.
Post-Study Work Rights Extended for PhD Graduates
From 16 November 2026, Indian nationals who complete a PhD at a New Zealand institution will become eligible for post-study work visas of up to four years, up from the current three-year maximum.
The change is specific to doctoral graduates. STEM bachelor’s and master‘s graduates continue to qualify for three-year post-study visas. The extension recognises the longer research and training period required for a doctorate and is intended to give PhD holders more time to transition into skilled employment.
In-Study Work Rights: A Guaranteed Floor
The FTA locks in a commitment that Indian students will be able to work at least 20 hours per week while studying.
This matters because current settings allow eligible students of all nationalities to work up to 25 hours per week. The FTA does not raise the 25-hour ceiling for Indian students. Instead, it guarantees that even if New Zealand‘s broader student work policy is tightened in the future, Indian students will retain a floor of 20 hours.
For students, the practical effect is certainty: the 20-hour minimum cannot be reduced for Indian nationals without breaching the agreement.
Working Holiday Scheme: 1,000 Places Annually
A new working holiday scheme for Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 will be introduced within two years of the FTA entering into force.
The scheme will be capped at 1,000 places annually and will allow successful applicants to spend up to 12 months in New Zealand. Holders will be able to work and travel, with employment with any single employer limited to six months.
This arrangement brings New Zealand in line with the provisions similar to those in Australia's FTA with India.
What the Broader FTA Context Means
The visa commitments sit within a wider trade agreement that eliminates tariffs on all Indian goods entering New Zealand and commits New Zealand to facilitating USD 20 billion in investment into India over 15 years.
On the services side, New Zealand has offered commitments across 118 sectors, including IT, healthcare, education, financial services and telecommunications.
For employers, the mobility provisions are the most immediately relevant element. The TEE pathways give accredited employers a defined route to recruit Indian talent in Green List occupations without navigating the standard Essential Skills framework. The three-year duration provides planning certainty, even without a residence pathway.
What Employers and Applicants Should Check
Employers: Ensure your organization is an accredited employer. The TEE visa necessitates a job offer from such an employer. Positions must either match the Green List or be part of the small iconic occupations category.
Applicants: The English language requirement applies regardless of nationality. Health and character checks are standard. The three-year visa does not lead to residence, so candidates seeking a long-term pathway should plan accordingly.
Students: The 20-hour guarantee is a floor, not a ceiling. Current settings allow up to 25 hours, and Indian students benefit from both the existing allowance and the new contractual minimum.
Read Also
Quick Reference Summary
Item | Detail |
FTA Effective | October 20, 2026 |
TEE Visa Categories | India Skilled Work Visa; India Iconic Work Visa |
TEE Quota | 5,000 holders at any one time |
TEE Duration | 3 years |
TEE Residence Pathway | None |
TEE Requirements | Job offer; accredited employer; qualifications; English; health; character |
PhD Post-Study Rights | Up to 4 years from November 16, 2026 |
In-Study Work Guarantee | 20 hours per week for Indian students |
Current Student Work Limit | Up to 25 hours per week (all nationalities) |
Working Holiday Scheme | 1,000 places annually; ages 18–30; up to 12 months |
Working Holiday Launch | Within 2 years of FTA entry into force |
For the latest immigration updates, visa policy changes, and 2026 developments worldwide, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/category/new-zealand
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