Posted 11/11/2026
India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Visas 2026: What Changes for Indian Workers and Students
The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force on 20 October 2026, and it brings four visa changes: two new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) work visas, longer post-study work rights for Indian PhD graduates, a confirmed floor on in-study work hours, and a future working holiday scheme. Together the two work visas allow up to 5,000 holders in New Zealand at any one time.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has published the rules for both work visas. The headline limits matter as much as the new opportunity: three years maximum, no partner or children, and no pathway to residence. New Zealand Shores is a specialist immigration services provider, and this page sets out what the rules say and who they suit.
| Talk to a licensed adviser before you accept a job offer. The India work visas and the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) lead to very different outcomes for families and residence. Book a free eligibility assessment or get in touch at [email protected]. |
The two new India work visas under the FTA
INZ has created the India Skilled Work Visa and the India Iconic Work Visa from 20 October 2026. Both are open to citizens of the Republic of India only, and both require a full-time job offer of at least 30 hours a week from an employer accredited under the AEWV policy.
| India Skilled Work Visa | India Iconic Work Visa | |
| Places at any one time | Up to 4,400 | Up to 600 |
| Eligible jobs | 12 occupations in ICT, engineering, construction, teaching and health | Yoga instructor, Indian chef, music teacher, AYUSH practitioner |
| Application fee | From NZD $1,355 | From NZD $1,355 |
| Maximum stay | 3 years | 3 years (shared with the Skilled visa) |
| Partner and children | Cannot be included | Cannot be included |
India Skilled Work Visa: occupations and sector caps
Places are allocated by sector, not by individual job. When a sector is full, INZ does not accept new applications for it and refunds the application fee. As at 20 October 2026, all places were available.
| Sector | Occupations | Places |
| ICT | Software Engineer, Software and Applications Programmer, ICT Project Manager | 1,000 |
| Engineering | Civil, Mechanical, Structural and Environmental Engineer | 1,000 |
| Construction | Construction Project Manager, Building Project Manager | 700 |
| Health | Registered Nurse | 900 |
| Health | Physiotherapist | 300 |
| Education | Primary and Secondary School Teacher | 500 |
Each occupation has its own entry standard, and you must meet it before you apply:
- Software and ICT roles: a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, engineering or an equivalent, plus at least 5 years of work experience in the field.
- Registered nurses and physiotherapists: registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand or the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand, a relevant bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of experience.
- Teachers: registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and a provisional or full practising certificate.
- Engineers: an accredited engineering degree, a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours at NZQCF Level 8, a Level 7 or higher qualification with an Engineering New Zealand benchmark letter, or Chartered Professional Engineer registration.
- Construction and building project managers: a listed degree, graduate diploma or Level 6 diploma in a construction, civil, quantity surveying or building field, or the Engineering New Zealand registration INZ lists for the role.
India Iconic Work Visa: four professions, four caps
The Iconic visa covers professions INZ treats as iconic to India. Each has its own cap and its own qualification and English standard.
| Occupation | Places | Key requirements | English minimum |
| Yoga instructor | 100 | Bachelor’s degree in yoga from an institution recognised by the Indian Federal Government | IELTS 5.0 in listening and speaking |
| Indian chef | 250 | Tertiary qualification in Indian cuisine (2 years of study) and 2 years of work experience after qualifying | IELTS 5.0 in listening and speaking |
| Music teacher | 50 | Bachelor’s or 3-year tertiary music qualification, 2 years of teaching experience, NZQA IQA | IELTS 6.5 overall |
| AYUSH practitioner | 200 | Ministry of Ayush-recognised bachelor’s degree (3+ years of study) and 4 years of practice | IELTS 6.5 overall |
AYUSH covers ayurveda, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and homeopathy. INZ does not accept a combined yoga and naturopathy application; you apply as either a yoga instructor or a naturopathy practitioner.
What the India work visas do not give you
No partner or dependent children. A partner or child cannot be included, and will not qualify for a visa based on their relationship to you. They would need to qualify in their own right.
No pathway to residence. Time on either visa cannot count as skilled work experience for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, the Work to Residence Visa or the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa.
A long stand-down. After 3 years you must leave New Zealand and spend at least 3 years outside the country before you can hold either India visa again. Time on these visas also counts toward the maximum stay on an AEWV, a Peak Seasonal Visa and the other India visa, so plan the sequence before you commit.
| A registered nurse, engineer or teacher may be better placed on an AEWV. Many of the Skilled visa occupations also sit on or near the Green List, where AEWV time can build toward residence. Our licensed immigration advisers compare both routes against your family and residence goals before you accept an offer. Get in touch |
Post-study work visa: up to 4 years for Indian PhD graduates
From 16 November 2026, Indian graduates who hold a New Zealand PhD become eligible for a post-study work visa of up to 4 years, rather than 3 years. The change applies to the PhD qualification only. Other Indian graduates continue under the existing post-study work settings.
If you are completing a doctorate in New Zealand, the extra year gives more time to move into an accredited job and build skilled work experience toward residence. Time on a post-study work visa is a separate matter from time on the India work visas, so the order in which you use each visa affects your options.
Working holiday scheme for Indian nationals aged 18 to 30
A new working holiday scheme for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 will be introduced within 2 years of the FTA entering into force. It will be capped at 1,000 places a year and allow stays of up to 12 months. The scheme is not open yet, and INZ has not published an opening date or application process.
Working holiday schemes for other nationalities are heavily oversubscribed in their opening hours. New Zealand Shores can have your documents ready in advance once INZ confirms the Indian scheme dates. Email [email protected] to be notified.
How to apply for an India work visa
Get in touch with our team today to assess your eligibility: [email protected]
Urgency and timing: which places fill first
The caps apply to people holding the visas at any one time, so a place frees up only when someone’s visa ends. The smaller pools, such as 50 music teacher places and 100 yoga instructor places, are the most exposed. In the Skilled visa, the 300 physiotherapist places and 500 teacher places are the narrowest.
Registration with the Nursing Council, Teaching Council or Physiotherapy Board can take months, and a registration is a condition of the visa for those roles. Start registration before the job offer arrives, and book your English test early.
How New Zealand Shores helps with India work visa applications
New Zealand Shores is a specialist New Zealand immigration services provider with licensed advisers ready to help. Our licensed immigration advisers guide you from eligibility check to approved visa.
- Eligibility assessment of your occupation, qualification, experience and registration against the INZ requirements for your job.
- A comparison of the India work visa and the AEWV, covering family rights, maximum stay and residence options.
- Preparation and review of every supporting document before lodgement, which reduces the risk of rejection on technical grounds.
- Employer accreditation support for New Zealand businesses that want to hire Indian workers.
- Guidance on NZQA assessments, professional registration and English test planning.
| Get your India work visa options assessed
Free eligibility assessment from licensed immigration advisers www.newzealandshores.com | [email protected] |
Frequently asked questions
Is the India work visa 5,000 visas every year?
No. The cap is 5,000 holders in New Zealand at any one time: up to 4,400 on the India Skilled Work Visa and up to 600 on the India Iconic Work Visa. A place frees up when a visa holder’s visa ends.
Can I get New Zealand residence through the India Skilled Work Visa?
No. INZ states these visas do not provide a pathway to residence, and the time cannot count as skilled work experience for the Skilled Migrant Category or Work to Residence visas. If residence is your goal, an AEWV in a Green List or Skilled Migrant Category role is usually the stronger route.
Can my husband, wife or children come with me on an India work visa?
Not on the basis of your visa. You cannot include a partner or dependent children, and INZ states they will not be eligible for a visa because of their relationship to you. They would need to qualify under their own visa category.
How much does the India Skilled Work Visa cost?
The application fee starts from NZD $1,355, and the same starting fee applies to the India Iconic Work Visa. An immigration levy is also payable, so confirm the full total on the INZ fees page before you lodge.
What English test score do I need for the India Skilled Work Visa?
You need IELTS 6.5 overall or an equivalent: TOEFL iBT 79, PTE Academic 58, Cambridge B2 First 176, or OET grade C+ in all four skills. The test must be sat in person and the result must be under 2 years old.
When does the 4-year post-study work visa for Indian PhD graduates start?
From 16 November 2026, Indian graduates with a New Zealand PhD can qualify for a post-study work visa of up to 4 years instead of 3.
When will the India-New Zealand working holiday scheme open?
INZ says it will start within 2 years of the FTA entering into force on 20 October 2026. It will cover Indian citizens aged 18 to 30, with 1,000 places a year and stays of up to 12 months. No opening date has been published.
Can I apply for an India work visa from inside New Zealand?
Not for your first India visa. You must be outside New Zealand when you apply. You can apply onshore only for a further India visa that uses up the rest of your 3 years.