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"Forward Looking Agreement, Will Allow Students 2 Year Work Visa," Says Piyush Goyal on India-New Zealand FTA

This new free trade agreement with New Zealand is being called both comprehensive and forward-looking. A major perk is that Indian students studying there will now be eligible for a two-year post-study work visa, with even longer options for certain degrees. The deal is also expected to give a huge boost to Indian exports, like textiles, by providing zero-duty access. Plus, it opens up opportunities for professionals in fields like yoga, AYUSH, and IT

Key Points: India-New Zealand FTA Signed: 2-Year Work Visa for Students, Zero-Duty Access for Textiles

  • Piyush Goyal announces comprehensive India-New Zealand FTA
  • Agreement elevates bilateral ties to strategic level covering trade, education, tourism
  • Indian students to get 2-4 year post-study work visas in New Zealand
  • New Zealand offers zero-duty access on 100% tariff lines for Indian exports
  • Labour-intensive sectors like textiles gain with tariff elimination
  • FTA promotes AYUSH, yoga, and opens 118 service sectors
2 min read

"Forward looking agreement, will allow students 2 year work visa," Piyush Goyal on FTA with New Zealand

Union Minister Piyush Goyal announces comprehensive FTA with New Zealand, offering Indian students post-study work visas and zero-duty access for exports like textiles.

"This is a free trade agreement with New Zealand which is both comprehensive and forward looking, reflecting the vision of our leaders, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Luxon to elevate the relations to much higher strategic levels. - Piyush Goyal / Union Commerce Minister"

New Delhi, December 22

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that the FTA signed with New Zealand is comprehensive and will elevate relatiions betwen countries to a strategic level.

"This is a free trade agreement with New Zealand which is both comprehensive and forward looking, reflecting the vision of our leaders, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Luxon to elevate the relations to much higher strategic levels, much more comprehensively, which will not only include trade, education, R&D and innovation, services Sector, tourism, sports," Piyush Goyal said.

The Commerce Minister also highlighted that the India-New Zealand FTA is expected to deliver a significant boost to India's exports, with New Zealand offering zero-duty market access on 100% of its tariff lines covering all Indian exports from the date of entry into force.

The Minister informed that as per the provisions of the FTA, Indian students going to New Zealand for studies will now be eligible for 2 years work visa. He said the India New Zealand FTA will provide students and professionals with greater avenues for mobility and enhanced opportunities for education and employment.

"For those taking a degree course or a bachelor degree with honours, they will be eligible for a 3 years work visa, while those graduating in STEM or taking a post-graduation degree, then they will be eligible for a 4 years work visa," he said.

Cooperation has been agreed in AYUSH, culture, fisheries, audio visual tourism, forestry, horticulture and traditional knowledge systems. The FTA promotes India's AYUSH systems internationally, encourages medical value travel, and positions India as a global wellness hub.

"Around 5000 of yoga instructors, chefs, AYUSH professionals, nurses will get professional work visas. We have also been able to open up 118 sectors which will give us opportunity to participate in tourism, IT, telecom, Audi-Visual etc."

Labour-intensive sectors are among the biggest gainers. With New Zealand eliminating tariffs that earlier peaked at up to 10 per cent, Indian exporters of textiles and clothing will receive zero-duty access across 1,057 tariff lines. India's textile and apparel exports rose to USD 36.9 billion in 2024-25, while exports to New Zealand increased to USD 103 million, a trend expected to accelerate given New Zealand's annual global textile imports of nearly USD 1.9 billion.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great to see AYUSH and yoga getting international recognition through this FTA. Positioning India as a global wellness hub is a brilliant move. Hope our traditional knowledge systems get the respect and market they deserve abroad.
R
Rohit P
Zero-duty access on 100% tariff lines from day one? That's huge for our exporters, especially in textiles. This could create so many jobs back home. Need to see how small and medium businesses can be helped to tap into this new market.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in the IT sector, opening up 118 sectors including IT and telecom is promising. But the real test will be in the implementation. Hope the professional work visas for tech workers come with clear, fair processes and aren't bogged down in red tape.
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Vikram M
While the opportunities sound good, I hope there is equal focus on what New Zealand gets. These deals must be truly reciprocal. Also, we must ensure our students going there are protected and have support systems. The government should set up proper guidance cells.
K
Kavya N
This is a forward-looking agreement indeed. Cooperation in fisheries, horticulture, and audio-visual sectors shows a wide vision. More cultural exchange is always a good thing. Maybe we'll see more Kiwi tourists coming to experience Incredible India! 🎬🌾

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