New Zealand eases visa rules to attract remote workers and boost economic recovery

Proceeding from its recent article, Bloomberg unveils that New Zealand has introduced relaxed visa rules to attract foreign visitors who want to work remotely while in the country, as part of a broader strategy to aid its economic recovery through tourism. 

Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis announced that the government will specifically target highly skilled workers, especially IT professionals from Southeast Asia and the US, to fill this gap. 

Willis emphasized that the goal of the new visa rules is to position New Zealand as a prime destination for global talent. “We want more of the world’s wealthy and super-talented people coming in those arrival gates,” she said during a press conference at Wellington Airport.

Effective immediately, the new visa rules will also allow travelers to extend their stay, although Willis noted that working for more than 90 days may result in tax implications. New Zealand joins other nations like Spain and Thailand in offering digital nomad visas, hoping to attract foreign talent and investment as it seeks to recover from an economic downturn.

Tourism is New Zealand's second-largest export, contributing nearly NZ$11 billion ($6.3 billion) annually and supporting close to 200,000 jobs, according to the government. 

The new visa rules apply to all types of visitor visas, including those for tourists, family visits, and partners or guardians on long-term visas. However, only remote work for overseas employers is permitted. 

This announcement follows a statement by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who revealed plans to launch a new initiative called Invest New Zealand. The initiative aims to attract foreign direct investment and accelerate the nation's economic growth.

By Naila Huseynova