Are there any agreements between Indian and New Zealand governments that affect visa processes for a Bachelor's/Master's?
Yes, the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement guarantees Bachelor's and Master's graduates, especially in STEM, up to 3 years of post-study work visa, allows part-time work up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time in breaks, and places no numerical cap on Indian student mobility to New Zealand.
Yes, if you are planning a Bachelor's or Master's in New Zealand, the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement directly shapes your visa journey. It locks in post-study work rights and part-time work permissions instead of leaving them to shifting domestic policy alone. Here is what this agreement changes for you.
Post-Study Work and Part-Time Work Rights
| Provision | What It Means For You |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's or Master's graduates (especially STEM) | Up to 3 years guaranteed post-study work visa |
| Doctoral (PhD) graduates | Up to 4 years post-study work rights |
| Part-time work during studies | Up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions, full-time during breaks |
| Numerical caps on student mobility | None under this agreement |
Other Mobility Provisions You Should Know
Alongside student visa provisions, the broader India-New Zealand agreements also include a Working Holiday Visa scheme offering 1,000 visas annually for Indian nationals aged 18 to 30, letting you live, travel, and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months. There are also separate Temporary Employment Entry Visa provisions aimed at skilled Indian professionals in sectors like IT, healthcare, engineering, and education, which could matter to you after you graduate.
My Advice
I would encourage you to factor the guaranteed 3 year post-study work visa into your course and university choice, since it gives you a formal, secure runway to gain international work experience after your degree, rather than depending on policy that could change later.
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