Open Work Visa Changes from April 2026

From 20 April 2026 Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will introduce clearer employment conditions for open work visa holders. The goal is to help migrants better understand what work they can and cannot do, and to reduce uncertainty for both workers and employers.

It is important to note that employer specific work visas are not affected by these changes.

What is an open work visa?

An open work visa normally allows the holder to work for any employer, in any job, and anywhere in New Zealand. This is different from an employer specific work visa, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or a Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV), which ties a worker to one employer and to a specific job role.

What is changing in April 2026?

From this date, every open work visa will include one of the following employment conditions:

1. Open work visas allowing any work

This employment condition will allow any type of work in New Zealand including working for;

• Any employer
• Yourself as a sole trader
• Any business you own and operate

This broader condition will apply to the following visas:

• 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

2. Open work visas requiring work for an employer

This employment condition will require the visa holder to only work for an employer as;

• An employee under an employment agreement, or
• Under a contract for services (which Immigration New Zealand still treats as employment)

This employment condition means you cannot run your own business or be self employed.

This employment condition will be applied to the following visas:

• 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 (WHV)

Special note for Working Holiday Visa holders

WHVs are designed primarily for travel, but temporary work is allowed to support your stay. Under the clarified rules, WHV holders can only work for an employer as an employee with an employment agreement or with a contract for services. WHV holders also cannot work in permanent employment or be self-employed.

Conditions that apply to all open work visas

Regardless of which employment condition you have, some rules apply to everyone on an open work visa:

• You must comply with New Zealand employment and business laws
• You cannot employ other people, even within a business you own
• You cannot provide commercial sexual services, or run or invest in a business that does

These rules already exist, but are now being clarified and reinforced.

What if you are already doing work that will no longer be allowed?

If you currently hold an open work visa and are undertaking work that will not be permitted under these changes then you may continue such work until you change your visa or your visa expires.

This gives you time to:

• Understand the updated visa conditions
• Adjust your work or business arrangements if needed
• Plan for your next visa application

Any future visa application will need to meet the employment conditions linked to the visa category you apply under.

How we can help

Visa conditions can feel confusing, especially if you are new to New Zealand’s employment rules. Since 1992, Pathways to New Zealand® has assisted migrants with clear, practical and expert immigration advice. If you have any questions around these changes or need assistance with your next New Zealand visa application, contact our licensed immigration advisers today.