India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

New Visa Pathways & Opportunities Announced

IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND UPDATE

Source - INZ

10/20/20263 min read

Key Takeaways:

  • New Visa Pathways: The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) introduced two brand-new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) visas: the India Skilled Work Visa and the India Iconic Work Visa.

  • Cap of 5,000 Places: Up to 5,000 temporary visa holders can be in New Zealand at any one time across these pathways.

  • Expanded Post-Study Work Rights: Indian PhD graduates from New Zealand institutions are now eligible for up to 4-year post-study work visas (up from 3 years).

  • Future Working Holiday Scheme: A new capped scheme (1,000 places annually) for Indian citizens aged 18–30 will launch within two years.

Overview: A Landmark Boost for India–NZ Mobility

The entry into force of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a major milestone in bilateral relations, opening up dedicated, streamlined temporary employment pathways for Indian professionals, tech specialists, healthcare workers, educators, and traditional cultural practitioners.

These visa categories operate within New Zealand’s existing immigration framework, requiring applicants to hold a qualifying offer from an Accredited Employer, meet English language standards, and satisfy health, character, and qualification requirements.

1. India Skilled Work Visa (Up to 4,400 Places)

Designed to support key industries experiencing critical skill shortages across Aotearoa New Zealand, the India Skilled Work Visa offers up to 4,400 places at any one time, allocated across six primary sectors:

Sector / RoleAllocation Cap:

Information & Communications Technology (ICT)

(Software Engineers, Software & Applications Programmers, ICT Project Managers)

1,000 places

Engineering

(Civil, Mechanical, Structural, & Environmental Engineers)

1,000 places

Construction

(Construction Project Managers, Building Project Managers)

700 places

Healthcare & Allied Health

(Registered Nurses [900] & Physiotherapists [300])

1,200 places

Education

(Primary & Secondary School Teachers)

500 places

Key Conditions:

  • Validity: Granted for up to 3 years (aligned with your job offer length).

  • Location: You must be outside New Zealand when applying for your first visa under this pathway.

  • Work Requirements: Full-time employment (minimum 30 hours/week) with an NZ Accredited Employer.

  • Dependants: Partners and dependent children cannot be included in the application.

2. India Iconic Work Visa (Up to 600 Places)

Recognising specialized skills deeply rooted in Indian culture, heritage, and traditional medicine, the India Iconic Work Visa offers up to 600 places at any one time across four niche professions:

  • Indian Chefs (250 places): Requires a 2-year tertiary qualification in Indian cuisine from a recognized Indian Federal Government institution plus at least 2 years of post-qualification work experience.

  • AYUSH Practitioners (200 places): Covers recognized traditional medicine practitioners across Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homeopathy. Requires a recognized bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years study) and at least 4 years of relevant work experience.

  • Yoga Instructors (100 places): Requires a recognized Bachelor’s Degree in Yoga from an institution recognized by the Indian Federal Government.

  • Music Teachers (50 places): Requires a Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent 3-year qualification) in music plus 2 years of post-qualification experience as a music teacher (with NZQA International Qualifications Assessment).

3. Post-Study Work Rights & In-Study Work Confirmation

The agreement brings valuable updates for Indian international students in New Zealand:

  • PhD Graduates: Indian graduates completing a PhD in New Zealand can now qualify for a post-study work visa valid for up to 4 years (increased from 3 years).

  • In-Study Work Rights: Confirms student work rights during study, providing certainty for Indian students pursuing tertiary qualifications in New Zealand.

4. Upcoming Working Holiday Scheme

As part of the FTA commitments, a new Working Holiday Scheme for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 will be rolled out within two years. Capped at 1,000 places annually, it will allow young Indian nationals to travel, explore, and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months.

Crucial Requirements & Important Rules to Keep in Mind

  1. Accredited Employers Only: Job offers must come from New Zealand employers accredited under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework.

  2. English Language Competency: Applicants must achieve an acceptable score on an approved English language test (e.g., IELTS, PTE Academic) taken in person at an official test center within the last 2 years.

  3. Qualification & NZQA Assessments: Overseas qualifications for technical roles and music teachers must undergo an International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) by NZQA unless exempt. Occupational registration is required where mandatory (e.g., Nurses, Teachers, Physiotherapists).

  4. Non-Resident Pathway: These TEE visas are valid for up to 3 years and do not directly count as skilled work experience toward residence pathways like the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa. After completing 3 years, visa holders must spend at least 3 years outside New Zealand before applying for another India TEE visa.

  5. Beware of Job Scams: Immigration New Zealand strictly polices job offers. Offering or paying money to an employer or agent for a job offer will lead to visa declinature.

How Silverstone Immigration Can Help

Navigating complex job offer validations, NZQA qualifications assessments, occupational registrations, and visa applications can be challenging.

At Silverstone Immigration, our Licensed Immigration Advisers specialize in:

  • Verifying job offer compliance against INZ and AEWV standards.

  • Assisting overseas candidates with documentation, NZQA IQA assessments, and English test requirements.

  • Supporting New Zealand Accredited Employers in filling key skill shortages with qualified overseas talent.

Ready to Explore Your Visa Options under the India–NZ FTA?

Contact our team of Licensed Immigration Advisers today to assess your eligibility or get professional advice on hiring skilled Indian migrants.

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