India Skilled Work Visa New Zealand Now Open: Jobs, Fees and How Punjab Workers Can Apply
Short answer: Immigration New Zealand (INZ) opened the India Skilled Work Visa and the India Iconic Work Visa on 20 October 2026, when the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement came into force. The India Skilled Work Visa New Zealand route offers up to 4,400 places at any one time for Indian citizens with a full-time job offer from an accredited employer in 12 listed occupations, such as software engineer, civil engineer and registered nurse. Fees start from NZD 1,355, stays are up to 3 years in total, and partners and children cannot be included.
On 18 October we explained the India New Zealand FTA visa package and noted that INZ still had to build the new visa routes. Those routes are now live. This update covers what INZ has published, what it means for workers in Jalandhar and across Punjab, and how to avoid the job-offer scams that INZ itself is warning about.
What Opened on 20 October 2026?
INZ launched two Temporary Employment Entry visas for Indian citizens:
India Skilled Work Visa: up to 4,400 places at any one time for highly skilled roles in ICT, engineering, construction, education and health.
India Iconic Work Visa: up to 600 places at any one time for yoga instructors, Indian chefs, music teachers and AYUSH practitioners.
INZ states that as of 20 October 2026 all places are available. If no places remain when you apply, INZ will not accept the application and will refund the fee.
India Skilled Work Visa New Zealand: Eligible Jobs and Places
Sector | Eligible jobs | Places at any one time |
|---|---|---|
ICT | Software Engineer; Software and Applications Programmer; ICT Project Manager | 1,000 |
Engineering | Civil, Mechanical, Structural and Environmental Engineer | 1,000 |
Construction | Construction Project Manager; Building Project Manager | 700 |
Education | Primary and Secondary School Teacher | 500 |
Health | Registered Nurse | 900 |
Health | Physiotherapist | 300 |
India Iconic Work Visa places
Occupation | Places at any one time |
|---|---|
Yoga instructor | 100 |
Indian chef | 250 |
Music teacher | 50 |
AYUSH practitioner | 200 |
Key Requirements for Indian Applicants
Be a citizen of India with a valid Indian passport.
Hold a current, full-time job offer of at least 30 hours a week from an employer accredited by INZ.
Meet the qualification, work experience and any New Zealand registration requirements for the job before you apply. Nurses, physiotherapists and teachers may need New Zealand registration or confirmation that the job is eligible for registration.
Overseas qualifications may need an International Qualifications Assessment from NZQA, unless exempt (for example, engineering degrees accredited under the Washington or Sydney Accord).
Show work experience with evidence from someone other than yourself, such as employment certificates, pay slips or tax records.
Pass an acceptable English test taken in person at an approved test centre and meet INZ's minimum score. Results must be no more than 2 years old, and future test bookings are not accepted.
Complete a chest X-ray and medical examination within the 3 months before you apply, and provide police certificates if you are 17 or older and will stay 24 months or more.
Be outside New Zealand when you apply for your first visa.
Fees, Length of Stay and Visa Conditions
Point | What INZ says |
|---|---|
Fee | From NZD 1,355, paid with the immigration levy |
Length of visa | Matches your job offer, up to 3 years in total across India Skilled and India Iconic Work Visas |
After 3 years | You must spend at least 3 years outside New Zealand before applying again |
Family | Partners and dependent children cannot be included and are not eligible through you |
Work | Only for the employer, job and location on your visa, for at least 30 hours a week |
Study | Up to 3 months in any 12-month period |
Residence | Time on this visa does not count as skilled work experience for the Skilled Migrant Category or Work to Residence visas |
First entry | You must enter New Zealand within 6 months of the visa being issued |
What It Means for Punjab Workers
Best fit for qualified professionals: Punjab has many trained engineers, nurses and IT professionals. These are the roles with the most places, but you still need a genuine job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.
Start registration early: nurses, physiotherapists and teachers should begin New Zealand registration or eligibility checks well before job hunting, because the visa needs these requirements met when you apply.
Plan for time away from family: your spouse and children cannot come through this visa, so discuss this honestly at home before you commit.
Think of it as a 3-year career move: INZ does not describe a residence pathway for this visa, and the time does not count as skilled work experience for key residence categories. Compare it with other New Zealand routes in our New Zealand immigration guide.
Beware of Job-Offer Scams
INZ warns that job-offer scams are common in India and South Asia, and it will decline applications where money was offered or promised to the employer for the job offer. Never pay anyone for a New Zealand job offer. Check the employer on INZ's accredited employer list, be cautious of agents promising guaranteed placements, and make sure anyone advising you on New Zealand immigration is licensed or exempt, as INZ requires.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Check that your occupation is on the list and that places are still available.
Get your qualification assessed by NZQA, or confirm it is exempt, and start New Zealand registration if your job needs it.
Take an acceptable English test in person at an approved centre.
Secure a full-time job offer from an INZ accredited employer, without paying for it.
Get a signed job offer, employment agreement and job description.
Complete your medical and chest X-ray, and police certificates if required.
Complete form INZ 1402, attach your documents, pay the fee and levy, and submit as INZ instructs.
Once approved, enter New Zealand within 6 months.
Other India–New Zealand FTA Changes Still to Come
Working Holiday Scheme: up to 1,000 places a year for Indians aged 18 to 30, due within two years of the FTA coming into force. It is not open yet.
PhD post-study work: it has been reported that Indian graduates with a New Zealand PhD will be able to get post-study work visas of up to 4 years from 16 November 2026. Confirm the details on the INZ website before you rely on them. Students should also read our New Zealand short-term graduate work visa guide.
Book a Consultation
World Immigration Terminal in Jalandhar can review your qualifications, English results and documents against the India Skilled Work Visa requirements and help you prepare an honest, complete application. We do not sell job offers or guarantee visas. Book a consultation through our website to check where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the India Skilled Work Visa for New Zealand open now?
Yes. Immigration New Zealand opened the India Skilled Work Visa and the India Iconic Work Visa on 20 October 2026, when the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement came into force. INZ said all places were available on that date.
Which jobs qualify for the India Skilled Work Visa?
Software engineers, software and applications programmers, ICT project managers, civil, mechanical, structural and environmental engineers, construction and building project managers, primary and secondary school teachers, registered nurses and physiotherapists.
How much does the India Skilled Work Visa cost?
INZ lists the cost from NZD 1,355, which is paid together with the immigration levy. Check the INZ website for the current amount before you apply.
Can I take my wife and children on the India Skilled Work Visa?
No. Partners and dependent children cannot be included in the application and are not eligible for visas based on their relationship to you under this visa.
Does the India Skilled Work Visa lead to PR in New Zealand?
INZ does not describe a residence pathway for it, and time on the visa does not count as skilled work experience for the Skilled Migrant Category or Work to Residence visas.
Do I need IELTS for the India Skilled Work Visa?
You need an acceptable English test taken in person at an approved test centre, meeting INZ's minimum score, with results no more than 2 years old when you apply.
Last verified: October 2026. These visas are new and INZ may update the rules, places or fees at any time. Always confirm the current requirements on the official Immigration New Zealand website or consult World Immigration Terminal before you apply.
Comments