Immigration Alert: Digital Nomad Visa
Update
On 27 January 2025 Immigration New Zealand relaxed visitor visa conditions, allowing visitors to New Zealand to carry out some remote work while in the country. Prior to this, there were strict limitations on undertaking productive work on a visitor visa.
Detail
This change allows remote work for an overseas employer (or their own overseas entity if self-employed) while in New Zealand for another purpose, like sight-seeing or visiting family. Importantly, visitor visa holders must not:
- Work for a New Zealand employer.
- Provide goods or services to people or a business in New Zealand.
- Complete work that requires them to be physically present at a workplace in New Zealand.
Our thoughts
The change is consistent with the growing number of countries offering remote work visas for “digital nomads” – people who work remotely while travelling. The change is aimed at encouraging tourists to stay in New Zealand longer, and in turn spend more money here. While these individuals are the target of the change, it applies to all visitor visas, including partners and guardians on longer-term visitor visas.
This update has clarified that remote workers can now complete certain work activities on a visitor visa without being in breach of visa conditions. While it is a welcome update, it is more limited than the visa options for digital nomads in many other countries. Individuals will still be limited to the same length of stay and the primary travel purpose must be to visit New Zealand (not work).
Want to know more?
If you have any questions about this update, please contact our specialist Immigration Team.
View pdf version here.