The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took effect on 20 October 2026. Its immigration commitments include two new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) work visa pathways, expanded post-study work rights for eligible Indian doctoral graduates, guaranteed minimum in-study work rights for Indian students, and a future working holiday scheme.
Separately, Immigration New Zealand announced two changes applying to all nationalities: additional permitted business visitor activities and new Specific Purpose work visa subcategories.
New Temporary Employment Entry pathways for Indian nationals
The disruption has resulted in broad airline cancellations, suspending, or adjusting services to Riyadh and other Saudi destinations—including Jeddah, Dammam, and Medina. Commercial flights continue to operate from other Saudi airports, but schedules remain subject to cancellations, diversions, and short-notice changes.
The India Iconic Work Visa and India Skilled Work Visa are new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) pathways available from 20 October 2026. Together, they permit up to 5,000 TEE visa holders in New Zealand at any time. Most places are reserved for highly skilled occupations on New Zealand’s Green List, with a smaller allocation for professions considered iconic to India. Applicants must have a qualifying full-time job offer from an accredited employer, but no labour market test is required. Initial applications must be lodged from outside New Zealand.
| Pathway | Eligible occupations | Maximum places |
| India Iconic Work Visa | Yoga instructors
Indian chefs Music teachers Ayush practitioners | 100
50 250 200 |
| India Skilled Work Visa | Specified roles in ICT, engineering, construction, teaching,
nursing and physiotherapy | Sector caps from 300 to 1,000 |
Applicants must meet the qualification and English-language requirements for their occupation, together with all applicable health, character, identity and other immigration requirements. TEE visas may be granted for up to three years and are restricted to full-time work in the approved occupation for the specified employer. They do not provide a pathway to residence. After completing the three-year period under either pathway, applicants must spend at least three years outside New Zealand before they can qualify for another visa under either pathway.
Key limitations:
Other FTA visa commitments
From 16 November 2026, Indian graduates who complete a New Zealand Level 10 doctoral degree after at least 30 weeks of full-time study may receive a Post-Study Work Visa for up to four years, instead of three.
The FTA guarantees Indian students at least 20 hours of in-study work per week if New Zealand’s general policy changes. Currently, eligible students of all nationalities may work up to 25 hours per week while studying.
Within two years of the FTA taking effect, a Working Holiday Scheme will be introduced for Indian nationals aged 18 to 30. Capped at 1,000 places annually, it will allow successful applicants to stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months.
Expanded business visitor activities
Three additional activities are now permitted under a (Business) Visitor Visa:
Other activities permitted under a (Business) Visitor Visa include:
Business visitors who need to stay for more than three months in any calendar year, or whose activities fall outside these permitted categories, must apply for an appropriate work visa.
New Specific Purpose work visa subcategories
Two new Specific Purpose Work Visa subcategories apply to Contractual Services Suppliers and Independent Professionals. Visas may be granted for the duration of the engagement, up to 12 months. Applicants cannot receive another Specific Purpose Work Visa to provide the same service to the same New Zealand entity or employer.
• Independent Professionals: Applicants must be self-employed and contracted to provide services in an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 occupation; hold a relevant qualification comparable to at least NZQCF level 4; have at least six years’ relevant experience; and meet the applicable English-language and labour market test requirements.
For accredited employers, the two Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) pathways provide a dedicated route for recruiting eligible Indian nationals in specified skilled and iconic occupations. When selecting the most appropriate visa, employers should consider the occupation criteria, available places, English-language and qualification requirements, family implications and longer-term retention options before finalising recruitment or relocation plans.
The new Specific Purpose subcategories and expanded business visitor activities may offer alternative options for eligible short-term assignments and commercial engagements. Employers should carefully assess the intended activities in New Zealand to determine the most appropriate visa.
Employers should act now to review upcoming recruitment and mobility involving Indian nationals, particularly for Green List roles and listed iconic professions. Early assessment is critical to confirm the right visa pathway, available places, evidence requirements, family implications and any need for longer-term immigration strategy. Vialto can help employers assess eligibility and develop a clear, practical approach.
Before travel, employers should confirm that all proposed activities are permitted on a (Business) Visitor Visa and travellers can comply with all visa conditions. Vialto can provide targeted advice on the applicable requirements and confirm the most appropriate visa for the intended activities before travel arrangements are finalised.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Jaq Chong
Director
Kim Gibbs
Manager
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