New Delhi: New Zealand has signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, easing work visa norms for Indian students and professionals.
Under the pact, Indian students in New Zealand will no longer face the 20-hour-per-week work cap during their studies and will be eligible for a two-year post-study work visa after completing a degree programme.
The agreement also opens a dedicated pathway for 5,000 Indian professionals, including yoga instructors and chefs, to work in New Zealand under long-term visas.
This marks the second agreement signed between the two countries under the broader FTA framework. While the pact was approved by the Union Cabinet last week, it still requires approval from the New Zealand Parliament. Officials said the agreement is expected to be signed and implemented within the next seven to eight months.
According to the terms, this is the first time New Zealand has entered into a trade agreement with any country that includes specific provisions on student work rights and post-study employment, a move expected to significantly benefit Indian students seeking education and career opportunities there.
