The India-New Zealand FTA has officially come into force, opening a new chapter in trade and employment ties between the two countries. From October 20, Indian exporters will get duty-free access to the New Zealand market, while skilled Indian professionals will benefit from two new work visa categories.
Zero-duty access for Indian exports
Under the India-New Zealand FTA, New Zealand has removed customs duties on all Indian exports. This means 100% of India’s current exports to New Zealand will now enter the country without import duty.
The move is expected to help Indian MSMEs, farmers, artisans, women entrepreneurs and labour-intensive industries. Sectors such as textiles, apparel, pharmaceuticals and other manufactured goods are likely to gain from the removal of tariffs.
Earlier, Indian goods faced peak tariffs of up to 10% in New Zealand. With the FTA now in force, Indian exporters will be able to compete more effectively with products from countries that already had duty-free access.
New work visa categories for Indians
The agreement also introduces two new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) visa categories for Indian nationals: the India Skilled Work Visa and the India Iconic Work Visa.
Together, these categories will allow up to 5,000 Indian professionals to work in New Zealand at any given time. The visas can be valid for up to three years, depending on the job offer.
India Skilled Work Visa
The India Skilled Work Visa will cover up to 4,400 applicants at a time. It is aimed at skilled professionals in sectors such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, education and construction.
The allocation includes 1,000 places each for IT and engineering professionals, 1,200 for healthcare workers, 700 for construction workers and 500 for education-sector professionals.
India Iconic Work Visa
The India Iconic Work Visa will have 600 places at any given time. It is designed for select Indian professionals, including chefs, yoga instructors, AYUSH practitioners and music teachers.
Under this category, New Zealand has reserved 250 places for chefs, 200 for AYUSH practitioners, 100 for yoga instructors and 50 for music teachers.
What applicants need
Indian applicants will generally need a valid job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer. They must also meet the required qualification, English-language, health, character and identity criteria.
The TEE visas are temporary employment pathways. They do not directly provide permanent residency in New Zealand.
A boost for trade and jobs
The India-New Zealand FTA is expected to expand bilateral trade and create new opportunities for businesses and professionals in both countries. For India, it offers stronger market access for exporters and a structured route for skilled workers seeking employment in New Zealand.
The agreement also includes a separate provision for 1,000 Working Holiday visas annually for young Indians, which is planned to be introduced within two years of the FTA.
With zero-duty exports and new employment pathways, the India-New Zealand FTA is set to benefit Indian businesses, skilled professionals and young jobseekers alike.
