India on Monday signed a Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand, its second-largest trading partner in Oceania. The move has renewed focus on the growing Indian diaspora in the island nation.
Around three
lakh people of Indian origin currently live in New Zealand, including more than 1.5 lakh Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Together, they make up nearly 5% of the country’s population.
Indians today form one of New Zealand’s most visible migrant communities, spread across cities such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. But what continues to make New Zealand such a preferred destination for Indian students, professionals, entrepreneurs and skilled talent?
The answer lies largely in New Zealand’s structured and transparent visa system, which allows migrants to move gradually from education to employment, and eventually to long-term settlement without abrupt transitions.
Study Visas
New Zealand offers multiple types of student visas, with lengths of stay extending up to five years, depending on the course and qualification level. For Indian students, recent policy shifts have made the country even more accessible. Following the growing bilateral engagement between India and New Zealand, there is now no cap on the number of Indian students who can pursue education in the country.
In addition, Indian qualifications have been placed on New Zealand’s List of Qualifications Exempt from International Qualification Assessment (IQA) for related visa applications. This significantly reduces processing time and costs, making it easier for Indian students and professionals to transition between study and work visas. Together, these changes have strengthened New Zealand’s position as a leading education hub in the Oceania region.
Work Visas
New Zealand offers several work visa options that allow foreign nationals to gain employment, industry exposure, and long-term career growth.
One of the most important routes for Indian students is the Post Study Work Visa. This visa allows international graduates from New Zealand institutions to stay and work in the country for up to three years, depending on their level and field of study. For many Indians, this visa becomes the critical bridge between education and employment—and often, the first step toward residency.
Another key option is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), New Zealand’s primary temporary work visa. It requires a valid job offer from an accredited employer and typically allows stays ranging from three to five years. Since March 2025, lower-skilled roles are capped at three years, while higher-skilled roles may extend longer. The AEWV plays a central role in helping skilled Indian professionals establish themselves in the New Zealand workforce.
Beyond these, New Zealand also offers special-purpose work visas for entertainers, artists, sports professionals, cultural practitioners and other niche talent categories. These visas recognise the contribution of creative and specialised skills and further widen the employment landscape for Indian nationals.
The FTA Boost
Beyond trade, the agreement opens new pathways for Indian skilled professionals, students and workers seeking opportunities in the country. For the first time, New Zealand signed an Annexe on Student Mobility and Post Study Work Visas with any country, giving Indian students policy stability even amid future immigration changes.
Under this framework, Indian students are guaranteed the right to work up to 20 hours per week while studying.
Post-study work durations have also been extended: up to three years for STEM bachelor’s degrees, three years for master’s programmes, and up to four years for doctoral graduates.
The FTA also introduced dedicated professional mobility pathways, including a quota of 5,000 visas for skilled Indian professionals for stays of up to three years. These cover sectors of strategic interest to India and New Zealand alike, including IT, engineering, healthcare, education and construction.
Notably, the agreement also recognises iconic Indian occupations such as AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, Indian chefs and music teachers, formalising cultural and professional exchange.
In addition, 1,000 young Indians annually can now access New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa, allowing multiple entries and stays of up to 12 months—offering early-career exposure and international experience.
Together, these provisions have created unprecedented opportunities for Indian students and professionals seeking global careers.
Building A Long-Term Life
Most Indians living in New Zealand continue to hold Indian citizenship while residing on study, work, or even resident visas. Residency, which allows individuals to live and work indefinitely in the country, is distinct from citizenship and does not automatically alter nationality.
Instead, New Zealand’s immigration framework is designed as a gradual, structured journey—one that allows Indians to study, work, gain experience, reunite with family, and eventually apply for residency if they choose to settle long term.
