Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said that the updates reflect the realities of modern visitors.
New Zealand has relaxed visa rules on international visitors who can demonstrate income from outside the country, in a bid to get “digital nomads” to boost the economy.
Visitors holding passports from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and some 57 other countries can visit New Zealand under the Visa Waiver Program, allowing them to stay in the country for up to 90 days without an additional visa. Travelers who qualify to enter New Zealand under the Visa Waiver Program, but wish to remain up to six months, can apply for a Visitor Visa before traveling.
Whether traveling under the Visa Waiver Program or with a Visitor Visa, the country has relaxed restrictions on remote work.
Employees who work remotely for a foreign company can now do so from New Zealand for up to 90 days. Self-employed visitors who derive revenue from clients outside New Zealand are also eligible to work remotely under the same rules.
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Travelers wanting to work more than 90 days in a 12-month period in New Zealand would need to explore whether they would need to pay local taxes once the 90-day threshold is reached—it depends on the reciprocal tax agreements the country has with a visitor’s country of origin.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said that the updates reflect the realities of modern visitors.
“This is a brand-new market of tourist New Zealand can tap into. We want people to see our country as the ideal place to visit and work while they do it,” she said in a statement issued with the announcement of the new rules.
“The change will enable many visitors to extend their stays which will lead to more money being spent in the country,” she added.
Economic Minister Nicola Willis was blunter at a recent news conference, “We simply won’t get rich selling to ourselves.” She added that highly-skilled workers in Asia and the United States will be the target of a promotional campaign encouraging them to come work from the country.
She also noted that because digital nomads aren’t allowed to work for New Zealand employers, that they won’t be competing with Kiwis for local jobs. They will, however, be competing for housing, which is in short supply. Last summer, the government radically overhauled zoning rules to encourage more housing development. Short-term digital nomads can minimize their footprint on New Zealand’s permanent housing inventory by choosing hotels or extended stay accommodations designed for visitors rather than short-term rentals of homes.
Auckland (also known by its Māori name Tāmaki Makaurau) in particular, is an attractive destination for digital nomads, with mild weather, plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation at nearby islands and beaches, and co-working spaces throughout the urban core. Digital nomads preferring urban environments will also find plenty of accommodations for their needs in Wellington and Christchurch.
Many countries around the world have changed their visa policies to accommodate digital nomads, who are remote workers who don’t necessarily need to reside in the same country as their employer (or their clients, if they’re self-employed freelancers). The idea is that countries with smaller populations and limited local consumer bases will be supplemented by temporary workers spending their money as tourists, particularly if they’re paid in stronger currencies like the U.S. dollar.
Many countries require digital nomads to demonstrate minimum incomes and present proof of travel insurance to cover medical emergencies while in the country. Most countries in the European Union require that digital nomads demonstrate their earnings from abroad are higher than that country’s national monthly minimum wage. New Zealand does not appear to have either requirement for visitors working remotely.
U.S. visitors to New Zealand may not need a visa, but they must apply for and be approved for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to traveling to the country. The ETA costs NZD $17. Also collected on the application is the country’s International Visitor Levy (IVL) at NZD $100, which goes to support public services and maintenance of infrastructure.
Visitors planning to work for a New Zealand employer or acquire New Zealand clients, or whose work for an overseas employer requires them to be in New Zealand are not considered eligible to work in the country as digital nomads, and will be required to apply for and be approved for a work visa specific to their situation.
