New Zealand–India FTA Signed — 5,000 Annual Work Visas, 1,000 Working Holiday Visas for Indians

On 27 April 2026, India and New Zealand signed their long-negotiated Free Trade Agreement in New Delhi, concluding 16 months of intensive negotiations that began in December 2024.

While the headline outcomes are tariff reductions and a USD 20 billion New Zealand investment commitment over 15 years, the FTA also includes a Movement of Natural Persons (MNP) chapter that creates significant new visa and mobility pathways for Indian nationals. These provisions are what matter most to UAE-based Indian residents.

The headline visa outcome of the FTA is the creation of 5,000 dedicated three-year work visas per year for Indian skilled professionals. This is a significant ringfenced quota — separate from New Zealand's standard Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) pathway.

The visa duration is three years, non-renewable under this specific stream. However, holders may transition to permanent residence under New Zealand's existing residency pathways (most commonly the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa) if they meet eligibility criteria.

• Information Technology (software engineers, developers, data scientists, cybersecurity)
• Healthcare (doctors, nurses, allied health professionals — aligned with NZ's Green List shortage occupations)
• Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, software — also Green List aligned)
• Education (teachers in shortage subjects)
• Construction (skilled trades, project management)
• Specialised roles: yoga instructors, Indian cuisine chefs, music teachers (acknowledging India's cultural exports)

Labour-market testing requirements still apply for roles outside New Zealand's "high-salary" threshold — meaning Indian professionals will need a New Zealand employer to demonstrate they could not fill the role locally before sponsoring the visa.

New Zealand has working holiday visa agreements with around 45 countries, but until this FTA, India was not on the list. The new 1,000-visa annual quota is the first-ever NZ working holiday pathway specifically for Indian nationals.

For Indian nationals living in the UAE who are 18 to 30 years old, this is potentially the easiest pathway to spend a year working and travelling in New Zealand — without needing employer sponsorship before applying.

The FTA also standardises post-study work rights for Indian graduates of New Zealand universities. While New Zealand has long offered post-study work visas to international graduates, the FTA codifies the most generous version of these provisions for Indian nationals.

Indian students currently enrolled in New Zealand universities are also explicitly granted the right to work 20 hours per week during term time — bringing them in line with broader international student work rights and providing additional income flexibility during studies.

Indian nationals form approximately 38% of the UAE's population — around 3 million residents. The FTA's visa pathways are open to Indian nationality holders regardless of where they currently reside, meaning UAE-based Indians are fully eligible.

Importantly, the FTA does NOT change tourist visa rules. Indian nationals in the UAE planning a holiday or family visit to New Zealand continue to apply for the standard Visitor Visa with the same documentation and process.

The FTA was signed on 27 April 2026 but is NOT yet in force. The agreement is currently in the "concluded but not in force" phase per the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

1. 1If you are an Indian professional in the UAE in IT, healthcare, engineering, education, or construction — start identifying potential New Zealand employers in your field. The 5,000-visa quota is competitive and likely to fill quickly each year.
2. 2If you are an Indian UAE resident aged 18 to 30 — bookmark the Immigration New Zealand website (immigration.govt.nz) for the Working Holiday Visa launch announcement. The 1,000-visa annual quota will be in high demand.
3. 3If you are an Indian yoga instructor, Indian cuisine chef, or Ayurveda practitioner in the UAE — the FTA created specific pathways for your profession. Watch for the detailed eligibility criteria when published.
4. 4If you are planning to study in New Zealand from the UAE — the extended post-study rights significantly improve the return on investment of a NZ degree. Consider STEM bachelor's/master's (3 years post-study work) or PhD (4 years post-study work).
5. 5If you only need a short-term Visitor Visa for an NZ holiday or family visit — the FTA does NOT change tourist visa rules. OraVisa continues to handle visitor visa applications for UAE residents under the existing process.
6. 6If you are NOT an Indian national — the FTA does not apply to you. Pakistani, Filipino, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, and other nationality holders continue using existing NZ visa pathways.

This update is based on publicly available information from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Immigration New Zealand, and credible immigration law firm and news reporting as of 28 April 2026. The NZ-India FTA was signed on 27 April 2026 but has not yet entered into force. Visa regulations and application processes are expected to be published within 90 days of signing. This analysis is provided for informational purposes to help UAE-based Indian nationals understand the new pathways. It does not constitute legal advice. For specific work visa eligibility, employer sponsorship, and migration planning, always consult a New Zealand-licensed immigration adviser. For the latest official information, visit the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade at mfat.govt.nz.