New Zealand eases visa rules to boost remote work

KARACHI, Pakistan

New Zealand on Monday launched a "digital nomad" scheme, allowing visitors to work remotely for their employers while in the country on short stays.

The new policy was introduced by Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, and Tourism Minister Louise Upston.

The initiative, effective immediately, changes visitor visa conditions, permitting remote work for foreign companies. Visitors from visa-waiver countries such as the US, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, and Israel, as well as the European Union, will now be able to work remotely under their existing visas.

The new policy also allows for extended stays, with the possibility of converting a visitor visa to a longer stay -- up to nine months, up from the previous limit of three to six months, according to Willis.

Stanford advised those working for more than 90 days to consider potential tax implications.