New Delhi, Dec 23: New Zealand has liberalised mobility norms for Indian students and professionals under a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, offering longer post-study work visas, no numerical caps on student work rights and a new pathway for skilled professionals.
The two countries on Monday announced the conclusion of FTA negotiations. The agreement, cleared by the Union Cabinet last week, is expected to be signed and implemented within seven to eight months, subject to approval by the New Zealand Parliament.
As part of the pact, New Zealand has, for the first time, signed an annexure on student mobility and post-study work visas with any country. The annexure locks in 20 hours a week of work rights for Indian students without any numerical cap.
“In terms of mobility, students who go to New Zealand to study will now be eligible for a two-year work visa if they take a degree course, a three-year work visa if they pursue a bachelor’s degree with honours or graduate in STEM disciplines, and a four-year work visa if they undertake postgraduate studies,” Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters.
At present, around 12,000 Indian students are enrolled in various courses in New Zealand.
Under the agreement, nearly 5,000 Indian professionals, including yoga instructors, chefs, Ayush practitioners, IT professionals, teachers, nurses and caregivers, will be eligible for professional visas to work in New Zealand.
The pact also creates a Skilled Employment Pathways mechanism through a new Temporary Employment Entry Visa, allowing Indian professionals in skilled occupations to stay for up to three years, with a quota of 5,000 visas at any given time.
The Commerce Ministry said the new pathway would be in addition to existing visa categories and would not dilute current regimes. “Professionals and skilled workers can continue to apply under existing visa routes such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa and Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa,” it said.
