Changes to Open Work Visa Conditions in New Zealand: Who Can You Work For?
Overview
On 20 April 2026, changes were introduced to employment conditions for some New Zealand open work visa holders. These changes affect what type of work certain visa holders can do and, in some cases, whether they can work for themselves, operate a business, or must work for an employer.
If you hold a New Zealand work visa, it is important to understand your visa conditions and make sure your work arrangements comply with both your visa and New Zealand employment and business laws.
Am I Affected by the New Open Work Visa Conditions?
The changes apply to certain New Zealand work visa holders. Under the updated framework, there are two broad types of employment conditions that may apply:
Conditions about what kind of work you can do; and
Conditions about who you can work for.
These conditions may restrict the role a visa holder can perform or the type of employment arrangement they can enter into.
The changes do not affect work visa holders who already have employer-specific conditions, such as holders of an Accredited Employer Work Visa. They also do not affect student visa holders who have work conditions.
General Restrictions for New Zealand Work Visa Holders
All work visa holders must comply with their visa conditions and with New Zealand employment and business laws.
In addition, a person who holds any type of work visa cannot employ other people, either directly or indirectly, through a business they own. This includes situations where the business is named as the employer on the work visa.
A work visa holder also cannot provide, operate, or invest in a business that provides commercial sexual services.
Changes to What Kind of Work You Can Do
The first change allows some open work visa holders to undertake any type of work. This may include:
Working for an employer;
Working as a sole trader; or
Owning and operating a business.
This change applies to the following visa categories:
Partner of a Worker Work Visa;
Partner of a Student Work Visa;
Partner of a Student Work Visa supported by a New Zealand Scholarship funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade;
Post Study Work Visa;
Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa; and
Partner of a Military Work Visa.
Changes to Who You Can Work For
The second change requires some open work visa holders to work for an employer. This means the visa holder must be engaged under either:
An employment agreement; or
A contract for services.
Visa holders in this group cannot operate a business in New Zealand.
These conditions 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; and
All working holiday visas.
Do I Need to Change or Update My Visa?
If you currently hold an open work visa and are doing work that is not permitted under your visa conditions, you should take steps to ensure your employment arrangements comply with the conditions of an approved visa category before you apply for a future visa.
Because visa conditions can affect your ability to work, contract, operate a business, or remain eligible for future visas, it is important to get advice before making changes to your work arrangements.
Need Help Understanding Your Work Visa Conditions?
Young Hunter’s Immigration Team can help if you have questions or concerns about your current New Zealand work visa conditions.
