New Zealand introduces a more relaxed digital nomad visa

Might be time to move. New Zealand has announced new and more relaxed visa requirements for a digital nomad visa.

New Zealand is ready to welcome digital nomads with its latest visa policy. Instead of introducing a separate digital nomad visa, the government has relaxed its visitor visa rules. Digital nomads may apply for New Zealand’s revised visa starting January 27, 2025. This visa allows remote workers to remain in the country for up to 90 days.

New Zealand relaxes visitor visa rules for digital nomads: Key details

New Zealand’s Visitor visa rules have changed, and tourists can now work for an overseas employer while visiting.

If you’re a digital nomad looking for your next adventure, or maybe you’re planning your next holiday, you can explore the changes here https://t.co/hZjLQAmseR

— NZ High Commission in London (@NZinUK) January 27, 2025

New Zealand is on the road to recovering its economy and tourism sector from the impacts of the pandemic, and the revised policy aims to attract more travellers to the country. The visitor visa will permit digital nomads to work for foreign employers while residing in New Zealand. This applies to tourists, family visitors, and partners or guardians on long-term visitor visas.

• They can not work for a New Zealand employer.
• They must not conduct business or provide goods and services to people in New Zealand.
• Their work doesn’t require them to be physically present at a workplace in New Zealand.

Remote workers or digital nomads taxed in another country are non-consecutively exempt from New Zealand taxes if they spend fewer than 92 days in the country within a 12-month. Travellers from nations with a tax treaty with New Zealand can extend this exemption to 183 days.

Visitors who extend their stay must pay taxes in New Zealand starting on the first day of their arrival.

(Feature image credit: Sophie Turner/Unsplash)

This story originally appeared in Travel + Leisure India.