New Zealand eases visa rules to attract digital nomads

New Zealand eases visa rules, inviting digital nomads to work remotely for up to 90 days to boost tourism and the economy.

New Zealand has announced a relaxation of its visa requirements to attract digital nomads—professionals who work remotely while travelling—in an effort to revitalise its tourism sector and stimulate economic growth.

Under the new regulations, visitors can engage in remote work for foreign employers while staying in the country for up to 90 days without requiring a work visa. After this period, they may be subject to resident tax obligations. The change applies to all visitor visa categories, including those for tourists, family visits, and long-term stays for partners and guardians.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasised the economic benefits of this policy shift. “This change will enable many visitors to extend their stays, which will lead to more money being spent in the country,” she said. The move comes as New Zealand grapples with an economic recession and seeks to revive its tourism industry, which suffered significantly during the pandemic due to prolonged border closures.

“We welcome visitors of all types to New Zealand and, in this particular announcement, those who are able to work as digital nomads here on our shores,” Stanford added.

Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis highlighted the potential to attract highly skilled professionals with global industry connections. “These are jobs they hold offshore and that they’ll be able to stay connected to while in New Zealand,” Willis noted, clarifying that digital nomads will not be competing for local employment opportunities.

READ MORE: New Zealand to limit unjustified dismissal claims for high-paid employees

Prior to the pandemic, tourism was New Zealand’s largest export industry, contributing over NZ$40 billion (US$22 billion) annually, according to Tourism New Zealand. However, economic hardships, driven by high inflation and rising interest rates, have led to stagnating growth and increased unemployment. The government hopes that attracting digital nomads will help counteract these challenges by injecting foreign incomes into local economies.

New Zealand joins a growing list of countries that have introduced visa schemes catering to digital nomads, including Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Spain, and Portugal. The rise of remote work, accelerated by the pandemic, has led to increased demand for flexible travel and work arrangements.

However, the influx of digital nomads has sparked debates in some locations. In Cape Town, South Africa, critics argue that the presence of remote employees has driven up living costs. Similarly, in Spain and Greece, anti-tourism protests have emerged in response to the perceived negative impact of an increasing number of transient visitors, reported BBC.

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