🇳🇿 New Zealand work visas for Indians 2026
Last verified: October 1, 2026
Indians moving to New Zealand from India have 2 main visa routes: Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Skilled Migrant Category Residence. The fastest is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) at 6–16 weeks. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Just visiting? New Zealand tourist visa for Indians covers tourism, family visits, conferences and business trips.
Compare New Zealand visas for Indians: cost, processing time, and requirements
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)work | 6–16 weeks | $870 | Required | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled Migrant Category Residencework | 16–40 weeks | $3,000 | Required | Yes | Yes |
New Zealand visa guides for Indians
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
workNew Zealand's main employer-sponsored work visa, valid up to five years. A common misconception: the median wage requirement was removed from the AEWV on 10 March 2025, so your pay must be the market rate for the role and at or above the adult minimum wage rather than a fixed threshold. The median wage — NZD $35.00 an hour from 9 March 2026 — still matters for Green List pay floors, supporting a partner, and qualifying later for residence, so aim above it if residence is your goal. Your employer must hold accreditation and complete a job check before you can apply. Three steps run in sequence: employer accreditation, job check, then your application. You also need at least two years of relevant work experience, or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework — so the AEWV is not open to applicants with neither.
Skilled Migrant Category Residence
workPermanent residence through the points system, restructured on 24 August 2026 into three pathways: the existing 6-point route, plus new Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways. You need six points from qualifications, occupational registration or income, and the changes made this friendlier — New Zealand master's degrees now score 6 points against 5 for overseas master's, and wage assessment at the residence application stage was removed, so you only need to meet the median wage when your skilled work experience begins rather than continuously. Green List Tier 1 occupations, covering many health, engineering and ICT roles, skip all of this: a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer takes you Straight to Residence without doing the AEWV first.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- Can India citizens move to New Zealand?
- Yes. India citizens have 2 main routes into New Zealand: the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and the Skilled Migrant Category Residence. Each has its own requirements, fees, and processing time, compared on this page.
- What is the fastest New Zealand visa for Indians?
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) typically processes in 6–16 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Indians move to New Zealand without a job offer?
- Every New Zealand route we track for Indians currently requires a job offer from an employer in New Zealand.
- What is the cheapest New Zealand visa for Indians?
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has the lowest government fee at about $870. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which New Zealand visas let Indians bring family?
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and the Skilled Migrant Category Residence allow accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which New Zealand visas lead to permanent residency for Indians?
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and the Skilled Migrant Category Residence offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
- How much does a New Zealand work visa cost for Indians?
- Government fees for Indians are about $870 for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and $3,000 for the Skilled Migrant Category Residence (USD equivalents). Translations, apostilles, medicals, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- How long does a New Zealand work visa take for Indians?
- Typical processing is 6–16 weeks for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and 16–40 weeks for the Skilled Migrant Category Residence, counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.