New Zealand to Revise Open Work Visa Policies from April 20 – Check Your Eligibility!

From April 20, 2026, Immigration New Zealand will introduce updated employment conditions for open work visa holders. Open work visas will now carry one of two specific employment conditions. Some visa holders will be allowed to undertake any type of work, including self-employment and running a business. Others will be required to work under an employment agreement or contract for services. The purpose of these changes is to provide clearer guidance on what type of work is permitted under different open visa categories and to ensure better compliance with New Zealand’s employment regulations.

Yes, the new employment conditions will apply to open work visas granted from April 20, 2026. However, transitional arrangements have been introduced for existing visa holders. Those currently engaged in work that may not align with the updated conditions, except prohibited activities, may continue until their visa expires. The changes do not affect employer-specific visas such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa. Student visa holders are also not impacted by this update. Future applicants must ensure they meet the employment condition attached to their specific open work visa category.

Under the new framework, certain open work visas will allow holders to undertake any form of work, including employment, self-employment, and running a business. This category includes partner-based work visas, the Post Study Work Visa, and specific partner visas linked to students, New Zealand citizens, military personnel, or scholarship holders. These visa holders will have greater flexibility in choosing how they work, provided they comply with New Zealand’s employment and business laws. The updated condition provides clarity on the scope of permitted activities under these visa types.

Some open work visa categories will require holders to work under a formal employment agreement or contract for services. These include visas issued to victims of domestic violence, victims of people trafficking, migrant exploitation protection visa holders, asylum seekers, and working holiday visa holders. Individuals under these categories must have a contractual arrangement with an employer or client. They will not be permitted to freely operate businesses unless their visa conditions specifically allow it. This distinction is designed to provide clearer structure around employment rights and obligations.

No, the changes announced by Immigration New Zealand apply only to open work visas. Employer-specific visas, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), remain unaffected. The AEWV already has defined employment conditions that require visa holders to work for a specific accredited employer in an approved role. The April 20, 2026 update focuses solely on clarifying employment conditions attached to open work visas. Individuals holding employer-specific visas should continue to follow the conditions outlined in their existing visa approval documentation.

Regardless of which employment condition applies, open work visa holders are not permitted to employ other individuals, either directly or indirectly through a business they own. Even if self-employment is allowed under certain visa categories, the holder cannot hire staff. Additionally, all visa holders must comply with New Zealand’s employment and business laws. The restrictions also prohibit visa holders from providing commercial sexual services or operating or investing in businesses associated with such services. These general conditions remain unchanged under the new policy framework.

Current open work visa holders will benefit from transitional arrangements. If they are engaged in work that may not align with the new employment conditions, they can continue in that role until their visa expires, provided the work is not prohibited. This transition period allows individuals time to understand the updated requirements and adjust their employment arrangements if necessary. When applying for a new visa in the future, applicants must meet the revised employment conditions attached to their visa category.

Immigration New Zealand has stated that the changes aim to provide clearer guidance on what types of work are allowed under different open work visa categories. By introducing two distinct employment conditions, authorities intend to reduce confusion and improve compliance with employment laws. The update also strengthens transparency in how open work visas operate. Clearer conditions help visa holders better understand their rights and obligations while ensuring alignment with New Zealand’s labour market regulations and broader immigration policy objectives.

Yes, working holiday visa holders fall under the category that requires employment under an agreement or contract for services. While working holiday visa holders already operate under certain employment limitations, the updated rules clarify that they must work under formal employment arrangements. They will not be permitted to operate freely as business owners unless specifically allowed under their visa terms. The change reinforces the structured employment framework while maintaining the purpose of the working holiday programme.