India and New Zealand have concluded a landmark free trade agreement that significantly expands opportunities for Indian professionals, students, and young travellers, placing workforce mobility and education at the heart of bilateral cooperation. Described as a new-generation trade pact, the agreement introduces liberal visa provisions and enhanced people-to-people engagement, marking a major step forward in relations between the two countries.
The deal was finalised on Monday after negotiations resumed in March 2025, nearly a decade after earlier talks had stalled. Remarkably, the agreement was wrapped up in record time, making it one of the fastest trade deals India has concluded with a developed economy. It is also India’s third trade pact in 2025, following agreements with the United Kingdom and Oman, while negotiations with the United States and the European Union continue.
A standout feature of the agreement is its strong emphasis on talent mobility. India has been positioned as a key source of skilled and semi-skilled workers, with the pact offering improved entry, stay, and employment provisions for Indian citizens. Dedicated visa pathways and expanded work rights are expected to create new opportunities across multiple sectors.
Under the new framework, New Zealand will introduce a Temporary Employment Entry Visa exclusively for Indian nationals. This visa will allow up to 5,000 Indian professionals at any given time to live and work in New Zealand for up to three years. It will cover sectors such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, education, and construction, while also recognising India-specific professions including AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, Indian cuisine chefs, and music teachers.
The agreement also introduces a Working Holiday Visa arrangement. Through this scheme, Indians aged between 18 and 30 will be able to travel to New Zealand and take up short-term employment for up to 12 months, with the flexibility of multiple entries during the visa period.
Education is another major beneficiary of the pact. For the first time, New Zealand has signed a dedicated annex on student mobility and post-study work opportunities with another country. The agreement removes numerical caps on Indian students and permits them to work up to 20 hours per week while studying.
Post-study work options have been significantly expanded. Indian graduates completing undergraduate or master’s degrees in STEM fields will be eligible for post-study work visas of up to three years, while doctoral graduates will be allowed to stay and work in New Zealand for up to four years after completing their studies.
Overall, the India–New Zealand free trade agreement is expected to strengthen educational collaboration, improve access to employment opportunities, and deepen bilateral ties by encouraging greater movement of talent and students between the two nations.
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