New Zealand is making a play for the world’s remote workers by relaxing visitor visa rules to allow working while on holidays.
Digital nomads – people who work remotely while travelling – are being encouraged to see New Zealand as the “ideal place to visit and work while they do it”, the NZ government said.
“We're easing visitor visa rules so you can work remotely, enjoy a 'work-cation', and explore our stunning country,” said Louise Upton, NZ minister for Tourism and Hospitality.
Upton said an increasing number of countries are offering digital nomad visitors and that the country needs to keep pace “to ensure New Zealand is an attractive destination for people who want to ‘workcation’ abroad”.
“Compared to other kinds of visitors, international remote workers have the potential to spend more time and money in New Zealand, including during the shoulder season,” she said.
Expanding tourism
Economic Growth minister Nicola Willis said tourism is New Zealand’s second largest export earner generating revenue of almost $11 billion and creating nearly 200,000 jobs.
“The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto a faster growth track,” she said.
“Making the country more attractive to digital nomads will boost New Zealand’s attractiveness as a destination.”
Under the plan, only remote work which is based overseas is permitted.
A business which requires workers to be in New Zealand such as sales reps of overseas companies, must still obtain relevant visas for workers, and the government advises those staying longer than 90 days to examine “possible tax implications”.
The visa changes, which came into effect on 27 January, apply to all visitor visas, including tourists and people visiting family.
Partners and guardians on longer-term visas are also covered.
Most Australians do not need a visa to visit, work or live in New Zealand and can stay in the country indefinitely.
Temporary residents, however, must hold a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) to visit the country.