New Zealand Changes Student Visa Work Rights, English Checks and Visa Expiry After Study

What changed

The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took effect on 20 October 2026, introducing significant new immigration and mobility commitments between the two countries. The treaty creates two new Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) visa streams—the India Skilled Work Visa and the India Iconic Work Visa—capped at a combined total of 5,000 visa holders in New Zealand at any one time. Most of these places are set aside for jobs on New Zealand's Green List. Visas are granted for three years and require work with an accredited employer. Alongside these temporary work routes, the agreement extends post-study work rights for Indian nationals holding New Zealand doctoral degrees (PhDs) from three years to up to four years, starting on 16 November 2026. The FTA also guarantees in-study work rights of at least 20 hours a week for Indian students if general policies change, and commits New Zealand to introducing an annual 1,000-place Working Holiday Scheme for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 within two years of the agreement taking effect.

What changed

On 20 October 2026, Immigration New Zealand published an announcement on an important Employment Court judgment confirming that New Zealand's ban on charging employment fees can apply even if a payment is requested or made outside the country. The full Employment Court issued the judgment on 8 October 2026 in two related sets of proceedings: Labour Inspector v Top Produce Ltd and Bhatia v Khanna. The Court resolved uncertainty over how section 12A of the Wages Protection Act 1983 applies to recruitment payments made overseas for jobs based in New Zealand.

What changed

The New Zealand Government has announced that Border Processing Levy rates for cruise ship passengers will be reduced, coming into effect on 1 July 2027. This change means cruise passengers will see a net reduction of NZ$19.91 per person, which comes from a combination of adjustments to both arrival and departure levies. At the same time, air travellers will face a small overall increase of 32 cents per passenger. These changes aim to ensure that Customs continues to recover its costs for border processing while adapting to expected passenger volumes.

What changed

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has updated its 'Visit visa: guide to supporting documents'. This new version came into effect on 8 October 2026. The updated guidance now states that child applicants under 18, who are doing an Erasmus+ traineeship or job shadowing placement, must provide proof that both their parent or guardian and their home institution have given permission. This update makes the document requirements clearer for this specific group of young visitors, ensuring their applications meet the current policy for educational exchanges.