New Zealand Eases Visa Regulations to Attract Digital Nomads

26 Feb, 2025

New Zealand has eased its visa regulations to attract "digital nomads" (individuals who work remotely while traveling) in an effort to boost tourism.

Under the updated rules, visitors can work remotely for a foreign employer while enjoying a holiday in the country for up to 90 days. After this period, they may be required to pay resident's tax.

"This change will allow many visitors to extend their stays, leading to increased spending within the country," said Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.

New Zealand, currently in an economic recession, has seen its tourism industry severely impacted by the closure of borders during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We welcome all types of visitors to New Zealand, and in this case, we’re especially excited to host digital nomads working remotely from our shores," Stanford added.

The new policy applies to all visitor visas, including those for tourists and individuals visiting family, partners, or guardians with longer-term visas. However, the rules stipulate that only remote work for overseas employers is permitted. Visitors whose jobs require them to be physically present in New Zealand must still obtain the appropriate visa.

Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis stated that the change aims to attract "highly skilled individuals with roles connected to leading global companies and industries."

“These are offshore roles that people can maintain while in New Zealand, and they won’t be competing for jobs with locals,” Willis explained.

Before the pandemic, tourism was New Zealand's largest export industry, contributing over NZ$40 billion (around $22 billion USD or £18 billion GBP) to the economy. However, this contribution has diminished in recent years due to the pandemic's impact.

The country is currently facing broader economic challenges, including stagnating growth due to interest rate hikes driven by high inflation, a rise in unemployment, and increasing numbers of people seeking employment opportunities abroad.

New Zealand joins a growing list of countries introducing digital nomad visa programs in response to a global surge in remote working. This trend, which gained momentum in the 2010s, has been further accelerated by the pandemic and the global shift toward flexible work arrangements.

Other countries offering similar visas include Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Spain, and Portugal.

However, the influx of digital nomads has sparked some controversy in certain locations. In Cape Town, South Africa, some residents have criticized the arrival of remote workers for driving up living costs. Additionally, countries like Spain and Greece have seen protests against over-tourism as more digital nomads arrive.

How does this affect TEFL?

As more countries, like New Zealand, open up to digital nomads, TEFL teachers can take advantage of these relaxed visa requirements to work remotely while traveling. Many TEFL professionals already teach online, and the growing number of digital nomad visas gives them the chance to travel and live in different countries without the typical work visa restrictions.

Countries like New Zealand that are attracting highly skilled individuals, including digital nomads, may also be seeking English language teachers to cater to their diverse, international populations. As digital nomads settle in these destinations, there may be an increased demand for English teachers to support both locals and expats looking to improve their English skills.