New Zealand Visitor visa rules have changed, effective from 27 January 2025. Accordingly, visitors including those visiting family, partners on long-term visitor visas and NZeTA visas, will now be able to work remotely for overseas employer while visiting NZ. Digital nomads, i.e. professionals who perform work remotely from any country, can stay in NZ and work for their overseas employer. However, tourists must not:
- work for a New Zealand employer;
- provide goods or services to people or businesses in NZ;
- work from any workplace in New Zealand
This relaxation of visitor visa rules will allow visitors to enjoy the best of NZ life, see breathtaking picture-perfect places and partake in adventure activities, all while continuing to work for their overseas employer. This might also provide an opportunity for highly skilled visitors to secure employment from a NZ employer and progress to NZ work visa (must not work while on visitor visa, until work visa is granted).
Tax Implications
Visitors should however be mindful of tax implications in NZ. NZ taxes world-wide income and accordingly your overseas income will be subject to tax in NZ, if you become a NZ tax resident, i.e:
- if you spend more than 92 days in a 12 month period in New Zealand (need not be consecutive days);
- if you spend more than 183 days in a 12 month period in New Zealand and are tax resident of any country with which NZ has a Tax Treaty.
Tax implications are given as a rough guide only and visitors must not rely on the same. Visitors must make their own tax arrangements or consult a tax expert for correct up-to-date tax implications.
Contact Us
Contact us if you wish to find out more and apply for the Visitor visa with remote working permission.