Digital Nomads - Want To Work Remotely in NZ?

In 2025, New Zealand relaxed its visa rules to attract digital nomads—remote workers employed offshore—allowing them to work while visiting the country for up to 90 days. The change was part of a broader government effort to support tourism and boost economic activity in the wake of a prolonged recession.

Under the new rules, travellers on visitor visas were permitted to work remotely for foreign employers without needing a separate work visa, as long as the role didn’t require them to be physically present in New Zealand. After 90 days, visitors were potentially liable for resident tax, depending on their circumstances.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said at the time that the move would likely encourage longer stays and greater local spending:

“The change will enable many visitors to extend their stays, which will lead to more money being spent in the country,” she noted.

Overseas Employers

The update applied across all visitor visa categories, including those entering the country to visit partners or family. Crucially, it only applied to work done remotely for overseas employers. Those intending to work for a New Zealand-based company were still required to obtain appropriate work visas.

Economic Development Minister Nicola Willis said the government aimed to draw in “highly skilled people with roles that connect them to powerhouse firms and industries globally.”

“These are jobs they hold offshore and that they’re able to stay connected to while in New Zealand,” she said at the time. “They won’t be competing for Kiwi jobs.”

Cafe Commute

New Zealand joined a growing number of countries—among them Japan, South Korea, Portugal and Brazil—that had rolled out similar digital nomad provisions in recent years. The trend, which took off in the 2010s and gained momentum during the Covid-19 lockdowns, had seen thousands of workers trading in commutes for café Wi-Fi and mountain views.

New Zealand’s approach focused on balance: making the most of international income streams, without compromising local employment. With inflation and interest rates biting into household budgets and unemployment on the rise, the government saw this small policy shift as a win-win.

The hope is simple: more visitors, longer stays, and a fresh injection of foreign capital—without putting added pressure on New Zealand’s job market.