The New Zealand Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis has announced a change aimed at allowing visitors to work while in New Zealand under certain conditions.
The visa policy change for "digital nomads" will allow all overseas visitors, including tourists on NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) and people visiting family, to work in New Zealand for up to nine months without breaching their visa conditions.
What is allowed under the digital nomad visa rules?
Only remote work for foreign companies will be allowed. The rule is meant to provide flexibility for travellers, influencers, highly skilled IT professionals to continue their work while travelling throughout New Zealand, to "keep in touch with work back home". Receiving income from a New Zealand company, or working from an office, remains forbidden to a visitor-visa holder.
"We envisage, based on experiences around the world that many of these travellers will be highly skilled people with roles that connect them to powerhouse firms and industries globally. These are jobs they hold offshore and that they'll be able to stay connected to while in New Zealand.
Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis
What remains forbidden while on a visitor visa
Visitor visa holders still must not:
- work for a New Zealand registered employer
- provide goods or services to people or businesses in New Zealand
- do work that requires physical presence in workplace or office in New Zealand
Tax implications
While this change allows some work to visitors while in New Zealand, you are responsible for understanding the tax regulations that are relevant to your circumstances. The duration of your stay in New Zealand, and whether your home country has a tax treaty with New Zealand will impact whether you are liable for tax in New Zealand.
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