In plain English
The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement came into force on 20 October 2026. It opens two new work visas for Indian citizens — the India Skilled Work Visa and the India Iconic Work Visa — for up to 5,000 people at a time, extends post-study work to 4 years for Indian graduates with a New Zealand PhD from 16 November 2026, and commits to a working holiday scheme for young Indians.
Key points
- Two new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) visas are open from 20 October 2026: the India Skilled Work Visa and the India Iconic Work Visa.
- Up to 5,000 TEE visa holders can be in New Zealand at any one time, and most places are for skilled occupations on the Green List.
- You need a job offer from an accredited employer, relevant qualifications and English, and you must meet health, character and identity requirements.
- TEE visas are valid for 3 years and do not lead to residence on their own.
- From 16 November 2026, Indian graduates with a New Zealand PhD can get a Post-Study Work Visa of up to 4 years (up from 3).
- A working holiday scheme for Indians aged 18 to 30 (1,000 places a year, stays of up to 12 months) is due within 2 years.
- Indian students can still work up to 25 hours a week while they study, like all international students.
Who’s affected
Indian citizens with a skilled job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer, Indian students and PhD graduates in New Zealand, young Indians planning a working holiday, and New Zealand employers hiring from India.
What you should do
Check that your occupation and job offer qualify before you apply. A licensed adviser can confirm which India visa fits and plan your longer-term pathway, because TEE visas do not lead to residence on their own.
India Skilled Work Visa and India Iconic Work Visa
The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) created two new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) visa categories for Indian citizens, open from 20 October 2026. The India Skilled Work Visa covers highly skilled occupations on an approved list, most of them already on New Zealand’s Green List. The India Iconic Work Visa is for professions considered iconic to India: yoga instructors, Indian chefs, music teachers and AYUSH practitioners.
Together they allow up to 5,000 Indian TEE visa holders in New Zealand at any one time. Each visa is valid for 3 years. TEE visas do not provide a pathway to residence, so if you want to settle in New Zealand long term you will need a separate residence plan.
Who can apply for a TEE visa
- Indian citizens with a qualifying job offer from a New Zealand accredited employer
- Relevant qualifications for the role and English language skills
- Health, character and identity requirements, as for other New Zealand work visas
Post-study work for Indian PhD graduates
From 16 November 2026, Indian graduates who complete a PhD in New Zealand can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa of up to 4 years, one year longer than before. Indian students can keep working up to 25 hours a week during study, the same as other international students.
Working holiday visa for Indians
New Zealand has committed to a new working holiday scheme for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30: up to 1,000 places a year, for stays of up to 12 months. It will open within 2 years of the FTA coming into force. We will update this page as soon as Immigration New Zealand confirms the opening date.
How Destination NZI can help Indian applicants
Our licensed immigration advisers in Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga help Indian workers, students and families every week. We can check whether your occupation and job offer qualify for the India Skilled Work Visa or the India Iconic Work Visa, help New Zealand employers hiring from India, and plan a residence pathway alongside a TEE visa.
Immigration New Zealand, “India–New Zealand FTA brings new visas for Indians”, published 20 October 2026. Read the full announcement. Summary by Destination NZI; INZ content © Crown, licensed under CC BY 3.0 NZ.
Related visas
New under the India–New Zealand FTA: for Indian citizens with a full-time job offer from an accredited employer in an approved skilled occupation.
- Stay
- Up to 3 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $1,355
- Processing
- Not yet published
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
New under the India–New Zealand FTA: for Indian yoga instructors, Indian chefs, music teachers and AYUSH practitioners with a full-time job offer from an accredited employer.
- Stay
- Up to 3 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $1,355
- Processing
- Not yet published
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
Stay and work after completing an eligible New Zealand qualification. Eligibility widens on 16 November 2026.
- Stay
- Up to 3 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $1,670
- Processing
- 80% within 5 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
