The New Zealand government has announced updates to employment rules for open work visa holders, which will come into effect in April 2026. The new conditions divide visas into two categories with different levels of permitted employment, which will affect freelancers, entrepreneurs and Working Holiday participants. Learn more about the new requirements, the transition period, and how to prepare for the changes

The New Zealand government has announced changes to the employment rules for open work visa holders. The update will take effect on 20 April 2026 and will divide all open work visas into two categories with different levels of permitted employment. The changes will affect both those who are already in the country and those who are only planning to apply.

Who will be able to run a business, who will be able to work exclusively as an employee, and how to prepare for the new requirements — we will tell you more in this article.

Are you planning to move or are you already in the country on an open work visa?

A migration lawyer on the Visit World portal will help you understand the new employment categories and prepare your documents in accordance with the updated requirements.

How does an open work visa work in New Zealand?

An open work visa gives migrants the right to work in any region of New Zealand, in any position and for any employer. A prior job offer is not required to obtain such a visa. It is this flexibility that distinguishes an open work visa from an Accredited Employer Work Visa, under which an employee is tied to a specific employer and a specific position.

It should be noted that the April 2026 changes apply exclusively to open work visas. Holders of employer-specific visas and student visas will continue to operate under the same rules as before. Therefore, the update has a clear target audience — migrants with an open work permit.

About business investor visas to New Zealand — read here.

Two categories of employment for open work visas from April 2026

The main innovation is the division of all open work visas into two categories depending on the permitted type of activity. The first category retains complete freedom in choosing the format of work: employment, self-employment and running your own business. The second category restricts the visa holder to working exclusively for an employer — under an employment contract or a service contract.

This division is intended to eliminate the uncertainty that existed previously. Migrants often did not understand whether they were entitled to freelance or start a business under their visa type. Employers, in turn, were not always able to verify the scope of a candidate's employment rights. The new system makes these boundaries transparent for both parties.

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Which visas will allow any work in New Zealand, including business?

The first category, with complete freedom of employment, will include several types of visas. Their holders will be able to work as employees, be self-employed or start their own business.

The list includes: a work visa for an employee's partner, a work visa for a student's partner (including those on a New Zealand scholarship), a post-study work visa, a work visa for a New Zealand citizen's partner, and a work visa for a military partner.

For holders of these visas, the changes essentially formalise existing opportunities. However, these rights will now be enshrined in a clear category, making it easier for both migrants themselves and their potential employers or business partners to understand the conditions.

About the 5-year Parent Boost visa to New Zealand — read more at the link.

New Zealand visas with mandatory employment with an employer

The second category requires the visa holder to work exclusively for the employer. Two formats are allowed: an employment contract or a service contract. Both options are considered employment under New Zealand law. Running your own business and self-employment are prohibited under this category.

The second category includes: work visas for victims of domestic violence, work visas for victims of human trafficking, work visas to protect migrants from exploitation, work visas for asylum seekers, as well as all Working Holiday visas. For the latter group — Working Holiday programme participants — the change is most noticeable, which is worth mentioning separately.

What will change for Working Holiday participants in New Zealand?

The Working Holiday programme assumes that the main purpose of staying in the country is to travel, and work is a secondary means of financing the trip. Most Working Holiday participants already work as employees — in cafes, on farms, in hotels. For them, the new rules will not bring any changes.

However, migrants who earn money as freelancers or run small businesses during their working holidays will lose this opportunity from April 2026. They will have to switch to salaried employment. This applies to any type of self-employment — from remote work for oneself to providing services as an independent contractor.

About seasonal work visas in New Zealand— read here.

General restrictions for all open work visa holders in New Zealand

Regardless of category, common rules apply to all open work visa holders. Migrants are required to comply with New Zealand employment and business laws. Even under the first category, which allows for business activities, hiring other employees is prohibited.

These restrictions are absolute and there are no exceptions. They apply for the entire duration of the visa, regardless of the migrant's place of residence in New Zealand or the specifics of their chosen activity.

How to obtain an Active Investor Plus Visa in New Zealand— we discussed this in our previous article.

Transition period: how to adapt to the new requirements?

The government has provided for a transition period for those who are already working in a format that will be prohibited under the new rules for their visa category. Such migrants will be able to continue their current activities until their current visa expires. This gives them enough time to review their employment conditions and prepare to submit a new application.

Therefore, migrants should determine in advance which category their visa will fall under and assess the compliance of their current work with the new regulations.

Changes in New Zealand's visa policy require careful analysis of each migrant's individual situation. A qualified specialist can help you understand the new categories, check whether your current employment meets the updated requirements, and prepare the documents for your next visa correctly. On the Visit World portal, you can get advice from a migration lawyer who specialises in New Zealand visa law.

Book a consultation now to prepare for the April 2026 changes and avoid employment problems!

Reminder! New Zealand has launched a work visa for business investors. Who can apply, how much you need to invest, and how to obtain a residence permit — read more at the link.

Photo: Freepik

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