India/New Zealand: Free Trade Agreement Will Provide New Zealand Increased Access to Talent from India

New Zealand and India have concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Among a number of economic provisions, mobility provisions were included aimed at addressing New Zealand’s skills shortages. Specifically, the FTA will establish a framework for up to an average of 1,667 skilled, non-renewable three-year work visas per year for Indian nationals in priority occupations, including healthcare, education, information technology and engineering, aligned with New Zealand’s Green List. In addition, New Zealand will offer up to 1,000 working holiday visas annually to Indian citizens, aligning with arrangements under Australia’s FTA with India, to support workforce needs in sectors such as tourism and rural industries. The FTA is expected to be signed in the first half of this year, at which time these provisions will go into effect.

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