New Zealand to tighten open work visa employment rules from April 20, 2026 – who will be affected?

New Zealand to tighten open work visa employment rules from April 20, 2026 – who will be affected?

Wellington | February 24, 2026

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced new employment conditions for open work visa holders in New Zealand, effective from April 20, 2026.

The updated rules are intended to clearly define what types of work are permitted under open work visas, helping migrants better understand their rights and responsibilities while supporting fair, lawful and compliant employment practices.

What is changing?

Currently, an open work visa generally allows a person to work for almost any employer, in any role and location across New Zealand, and in some cases to operate a business.

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

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Open work visas that allow any type of work

Some open work visa holders will continue to be able to undertake any form of work, including:

• Working for an employer

• Sole trading

• Owning and operating 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

Open work visas that require work for an employer only

Other open work visa holders will be required to work only for an employer, either under:

• An employment agreement, or

• A contract for services (which INZ treats as employment)

These visa holders will not be permitted to operate their own businesses.

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This condition will apply to:

• Victims of Domestic Violence Work Visa

• Victims of People Trafficking Work Visa

• Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa

• Asylum Seeker Work Visa

• All Working Holiday Visa categories

Conditions applying to all open work visa holders

Regardless of category, all open work visa holders must comply with New Zealand’s employment and business laws and meet the specific conditions attached to their visa.

INZ confirmed that open work visa holders:

• Cannot employ other people, either directly or indirectly through a business they own

• Cannot provide commercial sexual services

• Cannot operate or invest in a business that provides commercial sexual services

The new rules do not apply to student visa holders.

Transitional arrangements

Open work visa holders who are currently engaged in work that will not be permitted under the new framework—except for commercial sexual services—may continue that work until their current visa expires.

According to INZ, this transitional measure is designed to allow visa holders time to understand the updated conditions and make necessary adjustments. However, any future visa applications must comply with the employment conditions linked to the approved visa category.

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Working holiday visa clarification

INZ reiterated that the primary purpose of a working holiday visa is tourism.

From April 20, 2026:

• All work undertaken by working holiday visa holders must be for an employer

• The work must be under an employment agreement or a contract for services

• Operating a business will not be permitted under a working holiday visa

Authorities said the changes form part of a broader effort to improve clarity, strengthen compliance and ensure safer working arrangements for both migrants and employers across New Zealand.