WELLINGTON: New Zealand announced on Monday that it will ease visa rules to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting the country, aiming to boost its tourism sector and economy. The changes will take effect from January 27.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said in a statement that the visitor visa will be modified to allow people to work while traveling in the country.
“This is a brand-new market of tourists 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 press conference following the announcement, she expressed uncertainty about how many people would take up the opportunity but noted that digital nomad visas had been “extraordinarily popular” overseas, and New Zealand was targeting individuals who would like the opportunity to both work and travel here.
“I expect that during their time here, they will stay longer than they normally would, spend more because they are here longer, and the thing we really hope for is that they fall in love with the place,” she added.
New Zealand’s economy entered a technical recession in the third quarter of 2024, and the government is looking for ways to foster growth. The tourism sector has not yet fully recovered from the border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, with international visitors at about 86% of 2019 levels.
“The government’s ambition is that new visa rules will boldly place New Zealand on the map as a welcoming haven for the world’s talent,” said Minister of Economic Growth Nicola Willis.
“We hope that in some cases, it will encourage these individuals and the firms they represent to consider doing more business with New Zealand in the future,” she added.
