New Zealand has eased its visa regulations to allow tourists to work remotely while exploring the country, aiming to revive its tourism industry.
Under the updated guidelines, visitors are now permitted to engage in remote work for foreign employers while vacationing in New Zealand for up to 90 days. Beyond this period, tax obligations might arise.
The government introduced this measure to make the country more appealing to “digital nomads”—individuals who combine travel with remote work.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford stated, “The change will enable many visitors to extend their stays, which will lead to more money being spent in the country.”
The revised policy applies across all visitor visa categories, including those for tourists, as well as family, partner, and guardian visits on long-term visas.
However, it specifies that only remote work tied to overseas employment is permitted. Visitors engaging in work that requires their physical presence in New Zealand must still obtain the appropriate work visas.
New Zealand’s tourism sector contributes approximately $11 billion in revenue annually, according to government figures.
In recent years, several nations have implemented visa schemes for digital nomads, targeting a growing demographic of professionals keen to travel while working.
This lifestyle gained traction in the 2010s and saw a surge during the Covid-19 pandemic, which normalized remote work.
Countries like Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Spain, and Portugal have introduced similar programmes.
However, the presence of digital nomads has sparked debates in some regions. For instance, critics in Cape Town, South Africa, argue that the influx has driven up living costs.
Meanwhile, the surge of visitors to destinations like Spain and Greece has intensified protests against overtourism.
