- New Zealand has announced that the new employment conditions for open work visas will take effect on April 20, 2026
- The move aims to provide clearer rules on permissible employment and strengthen compliance with labour and business regulations
- Immigration authorities say the reforms will give migrants better guidance on their rights and responsibilities
New Zealand has announced plans to introduce new employment conditions for holders of open work visas starting April 20, 2026.
The changes aim to provide clearer guidance on permitted work activities and strengthen compliance with labour and business regulations.
Immigration authorities explained on their website that the reforms are designed to give migrants better understanding of their rights and responsibilities while helping employers reduce uncertainty.
Officials stated that clearer and more consistent visa conditions will “support safer, fairer and more transparent employment practices across the labour market.”
They added, “On 20 April 2026, we will introduce changes to employment conditions for people with open work visas. We recognise that not all migrants are familiar with New Zealand’s employment laws or business rules, and that changes to visa conditions can sometimes be difficult to navigate.
“Our focus is on education and helping people clearly understand their visa conditions. These changes do not apply to Student Visa holders.”
An open work visa typically allows migrants to work for nearly any employer, in different roles, and in various locations without requiring a prior job offer. This contrasts with employer-specific visas, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa, which binds the holder to a particular employer and position.
Under the new framework, authorities introduced two categories of employment conditions for open work visas:
The first category permits visa holders to “undertake any lawful form of work in New Zealand.” This includes working for an employer, operating as a sole trader, or owning and managing a business.
Visa types under this category include the Partner of a Worker Work Visa, Partner of a Student Work Visa, Partner of a Student Work Visa supported by a scholarship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Post Study Work Visa, Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa, and Partner of a Military Work Visa, among others.
The second category limits visa holders to employment with an employer only.
Migrants under this condition must work as employees under an employment agreement or a contract for services, which authorities still classify as employment. They will not be allowed to run their own businesses.
This employer-only category applies to visas issued to victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, holders of the Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa, asylum seekers, and all working holiday visa holders.
Authorities emphasised that regardless of category, open work visa holders must comply with their visa conditions as well as New Zealand’s employment and business laws. They also stressed that visa holders “are not permitted to employ other people, either directly or indirectly through a business they own or operate.”
Additionally, they are prohibited from “providing commercial sexual services or from running or investing in businesses linked to such services.”