India-New Zealand trade deal is in force from 20 October: a guaranteed 20-hour study work week, an extra post-study year for PhDs and 5,000 work visas

The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, signed on 27 April 2026, entered into force on 20 October 2026, according to New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). Besides tariffs, it has an annex on student mobility and post-study work, and a separate quota of work visas. Here is what the official texts say for Indian students and young graduates.

While you study

• Indian students at New Zealand tertiary institutions are guaranteed the right to work up to 20 hours a week. New Zealand’s current policy allows up to 25 hours, but the 20-hour guarantee holds even if policy changes later.
• Each country agrees to grant student visas to people accepted by recognised institutions who meet the usual immigration requirements. Neither side may cap student numbers under the agreement.
• New Zealand can still tighten its general student rules, as long as Indian students are not treated worse than students from other countries.

After you graduate

Graduates of recognised New Zealand institutions at bachelor’s level or above can work in the country for a limited period, provided they meet all other immigration requirements. The annex sets these maximum periods.

Your New Zealand qualification	Post-study work, up to
Bachelor’s degree	2 years
Bachelor’s with first-class honours in a STEM field, including ICT	3 years
Master’s degree	3 years
PhD	4 years

New Zealand’s own analysis says most student commitments sit at or below its current settings, and that PhD students gain one extra year. The Indian government’s summary lists a STEM bachelor’s at 3 years, which matches the first-class honours condition in the treaty analysis, so read the condition before assuming 3 years.

Work visas and the working holiday scheme

Route	What is on offer
Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) visas	5,000 at any one time, each for up to 3 years; about 1,667 a year
Skilled places	4,400 for jobs on Immigration New Zealand’s Green List of skill shortages, such as some ICT, engineering and specialised health roles
Iconic Indian occupations	600 for yoga instructors, Ayush practitioners, music teachers and Indian chefs
Working holiday scheme	Up to 1,000 places a year for Indians aged 18 to 30

TEE visas need a job offer plus the qualification and experience conditions set for each occupation. They are not meant to carry work rights for partners or domestic student status for children, and they do not lead to permanent residence by themselves.

What to do now

1. Do not expect a new visa form today. Visa rules are applied by Immigration New Zealand, so check its pages for how and when each route opens.
2. If you plan to study in New Zealand, note that the post-study work length depends on the level you complete.
3. For other changes, see our report on New Zealand’s post-study work changes from 16 November.

CareerBox News Desk, reporting on the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (entry into force on 20 October 2026, key outcomes summary and National Interest Analysis) and the Indian government’s press information note of 27 April 2026 on the signing. Official portal: mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements-in-force/new-zealand-india-free-trade-agreement. Dates and eligibility change; confirm them on the official portal before you act.