Working in New Zealand on Tourist/Visit Visa Policy Update January 27, 2025

In a groundbreaking move to rejuvenate its tourism sector and bolster economic growth, New Zealand has announced significant updates to its visitor visa policies effective onwards January 27, 2025.

Effective immediately, tourists visiting New Zealand can work remotely for overseas employers while exploring the country. This initiative is set to position New Zealand as a premier destination for digital nomads and remote professionals.

A New Era for Remote Work Tourism Started in New Zealand!

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford unveiled the new visa conditions, emphasizing their potential to unlock a new market of long-term tourists. “We want people to see our country as the ideal place to visit and work while they do it,” Stanford said during a press conference. “This is a brand-new market of tourists New Zealand can tap into, and we expect visitors will stay longer, spend more, and potentially fall in love with the place.”

The policy change (Ref) coincides with efforts to revitalize the New Zealand’s economy, which slipped into a technical recession in the third quarter of 2024. International tourism, a vital contributor to the economy, has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels. The government’s strategy aims to attract high-spending visitors who combine leisure and work, driving growth across sectors.

What Visitors Can Do Under the New Rules?

Visitors traveling to New Zealand on a visitor visa or through a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) can now:

• Work remotely for overseas employers or clients.
• Use New Zealand’s scenic beauty and advanced infrastructure as a base for remote work.

However, the government has set clear boundaries for these activities not to be done on this new NZ tourist visa:

1. Visitors cannot work for a New Zealand employer.
2. They cannot provide goods or services to people or businesses in New Zealand.
3. They cannot engage in work requiring physical presence at a New Zealand workplace.

List of NZ Visas Needed for Restricted Activities Are Following

For those who intend to engage in activities outside the scope of the relaxed New Zealand’s visitor/tourist visa rules, specific work visas are required:

1# Working for a New Zealand Employer:

• • Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): For individuals with job offers from accredited New Zealand employers. This visa ensures compliance with employment laws and benefits both employers and workers.

2# Providing Goods or Services to New Zealand Businesses:

• • Specific Purpose Work Visa: Ideal for those coming to New Zealand for a specific event or project.
  • Entrepreneur Work Visa: Designed for individuals aiming to establish or operate a business within the country.

3# Engaging in On-Site Work in New Zealand:

• • Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): Also suitable for jobs that require physical presence, provided a valid job offer is in place.

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