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

Update October 21, 2026: The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement entered into force on October 20, 2026, introducing the following new visa commitments to support New Zealand’s economic and workforce needs: 

• Effective immediately, two new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) visa categories allow eligible Indian nationals in highly skilled occupations and a limited number of professions considered iconic to India to work in New Zealand. The categories permit up to 5,000 TEE visa holders in the country at any one time, with most places allocated to occupations on New Zealand’s Green List. Applicants must hold a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer and meet applicable qualification, English language, health, character and identity requirements.  
• From November 16, 2026, Indian graduates who hold New Zealand PhDs will become eligible for post-study work visas of up to four years, increased from three years. Eligible students of all nationalities can currently work up to 25 hours per week while studying; the agreement commits New Zealand to maintaining at least 20 hours of weekly in-study work rights for Indian students if policy settings change.  
• New Zealand will also introduce a working holiday scheme for Indian nationals age 18 to 30 within two years of the agreement entering into force. The scheme will offer up to 1,000 places annually and allow stays of up to 12 months.   

January 7, 2026: 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.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.