The India and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has opened up Skilled Employment Pathways through a new Temporary Employment Entry Visa for Indian professionals in skilled occupations.
India and New Zealand have concluded a comprehensive, balanced and forward-looking Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a major economic and strategic milestone in India’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
A free trade agreement (FTA) between two countries or a group of countries can be used to set the rules for how countries treat each other when it comes to doing business together.
New Temporary Employment Entry Visa
The new Temporary Employment Entry Visa pathway will have a quota of 5,000 visas at any given time. Indian professionals in skilled occupations can apply for the new Temporary Employment Entry Visa for a stay of up to three years.
This pathway covers Indian professions such as AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, Indian chefs, and music teachers, as well as high-demand sectors including IT, engineering, healthcare, education, and construction, strengthening workforce mobility and services trade.
Other Options
If you’re 55 or younger and want to live in New Zealand permanently, you can apply for a resident visa or a work visa that leads to residence after working for 2 years.
From 29 September 2023, priority is being given to processing applications for these skilled residence visas: Straight to Residence Visa, Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa and Work to Residence Visa.
One may check which roles are in demand by checking the Immigration New Zealand website. The Green List shows you which roles are: Tier 1 — Straight to Residence Visas and Tier 2 — Work to Residence Visas.
One can also apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa if they have a job offer from an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) accredited employer. This visa lets you stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years — depending on your job, skill level, how much you are paid and when you applied for your visa.