New Zealand: Open Work Visa Employment Conditions 2026:

In a significant policy update, New Zealand Open Work Visa Employment Conditions 2026 will officially come into force on April 20, following an announcement by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) on February 24, 2026.

The revised framework is designed to provide clearer guidance on what kinds of employment open work visa holders can undertake, while reinforcing compliance with New Zealand’s labour and business laws. Authorities say the changes will remove ambiguity, safeguard migrant workers, and promote fair employment practices across the country.

New Zealand: Why the Changes Were Introduced

Open work visas have long offered flexibility, allowing migrants to work across various sectors without being tied to a single employer. However, according to INZ, the lack of clearly defined employment conditions sometimes led to confusion—particularly around self-employment, business ownership, and contractor arrangements.

The New Zealand Open Work Visa Employment Conditions 2026 aim to clarify these grey areas and establish a more transparent structure for both migrants and employers.

Importantly, these changes do not affect employer-specific visas such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa, which already restrict migrants to a designated employer and role.

What Is Changing on April 20?

From April 20, 2026, all open work visas will include one of two clearly defined employment conditions.

1. Open Work Visas Allowing Any Type of Work

Under this category, visa holders may:

• Work for an employer

• Operate as a sole trader

• Own and run a business

This broader employment condition will apply to holders of:

• Partner of a Worker Work Visa

• Partner of a Student Work Visa

• Post Study Work Visa

• Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa

• Partner of a Military Work Visa

Visa holders in these categories will continue to enjoy broad employment flexibility, including entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities.

2. Open Work Visas Requiring Work for an Employer Only

Under the second category, visa holders must work only for an employer, either through:

• An employment agreement, or

• A contract for services (which INZ considers employment)

These individuals will not be permitted to operate their own businesses.

This condition will apply to holders of:

• Victims of Domestic Violence Work Visa

• Victims of People Trafficking Work Visa

• Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa

• Asylum Seeker Work Visa

• All categories under the Working Holiday Visa

New Zealand: Special Clarification for Working Holiday Visa Holders

INZ has reiterated that the primary purpose of the Working Holiday Visa remains tourism. While temporary employment is permitted to support travel, from April 20 onward:

• All work must be for an employer

• It must be under an employment agreement or recognised contract for services

• Operating a business will not be allowed

This clarification reinforces that working holiday schemes are not pathways for entrepreneurship.

Conditions That Apply to All Open Work Visa Holders

Regardless of category under the New Zealand Open Work Visa Employment Conditions 2026, all visa holders must:

• Comply with New Zealand’s employment and business laws

• Meet all visa-specific conditions

Additionally, INZ has made it clear that open work visa holders:

• Cannot employ other people, directly or indirectly

• Cannot provide commercial sexual services

• Cannot run or invest in a business offering commercial sexual services

These restrictions aim to prevent exploitation and ensure legal compliance.

The new framework does not apply to student visa holders.

Transitional Arrangements: What Current Visa Holders Should Know

Affected migrants may continue their existing work until their current visa expires. However:

• Any future visa applications must comply with the updated employment conditions linked to the relevant visa category.