Immigration New Zealand announced that on 20 April 2026, there will be changes to employment conditions for people with open work visas.
An open work visa allows you to work for almost any employer, in any job or location in New Zealand, without needing to provide Immigration New Zealand with a job offer during the application process. These new changes in April aim to provide migrants with more clarity about what work is allowed under open work visas.
From 20 April 2026, open work visas will include 1 of 2 new employment conditions:
- Open work visas allowing any work
Some open work visa holders will be able to undertake any work in New Zealand. This includes working for an employer, sole trading, or owning and operating a business.
This employment condition will apply to the following visa categories:
- 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.
- Partner of a Student Work Visa (supported by a New Zealand scholarship funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
- Open work visas requiring work for an employer
Other open work visa holders must work for an employer and have either an employment agreement or a contract for services. Immigration New Zealand will consider a contract for services as employment.
This employment condition will apply to the following visa categories:
- Victims of Domestic Violence Work Visa.
- Victims of People Trafficking Work Visa.
- Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa.
- Asylum Seeker Work Visa.
- All Working Holiday Visas.
There are also conditions which apply to all open work visas, such as complying with the other conditions listed on the visa and following New Zealand’s employment laws.
On any open work visa, you cannot employ other people—either directly, or indirectly through a business you operate as an owner (including where the business is the named employer).
If you have an open work visa you cannot provide commercial sexual services, or run or invest in a business that provides commercial sexual services.
However, it is worth noting that those with employer-specific work visas, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa, will not be affected by these changes. These changes also will not apply to Student Visa holders.
If you would like further information about these changes, please contact Richard Small and our friendly team at Pacific Legal.