Overview
On 27 January 2025 Immigration New Zealand changed the conditions for visitors: people arriving on a visitor visa or an NZeTA can now work remotely for an employer or client based outside New Zealand, and every visitor visa applied for on or after that date carries the new condition. INZ describes the change as letting tourists stay as digital nomads and keep in touch with work back home.
Remote work covers answering emails and calls, coding and testing, writing reports and meeting colleagues abroad; content creation is fine as long as you are not promoting something for a New Zealand business. Working for a New Zealand employer, or trading services with New Zealand businesses or people — even for free accommodation — still needs a work visa.
Editor's note — Tax is the real limit, not immigration. INZ says that if your income is taxed in another country you may not need to pay New Zealand tax for stays under 92 days in a 12-month period, or up to 183 days if you are tax-resident in a treaty country — talk to Inland Revenue before planning a long stay.
Who is eligible
- Any visitor entering on a visitor visa or an NZeTA (visa-waiver travellers) under the conditions in force since 27 January 2025.
- Work only for employers or clients outside New Zealand.
- The usual visitor requirements: a genuine visit, onward travel and enough money to live on (or an acceptable sponsor).
- No work for New Zealand employers and no services to people or businesses in New Zealand.
Income & financial requirements
For employers or clients outside New Zealand.
Maximum stay in any 18-month period.
Per month, or NZ$400 if accommodation is prepaid.
If your income is taxed abroad (183 days for treaty residents).
There is no income test for remote work itself. Visitor visa applicants must show at least NZ$1,000 a month of stay — NZ$400 a month if accommodation is already paid — or an acceptable sponsor, with bank or card statements in their own name.
Costs & fees
- Visitor visa fee from NZ$441 for nationalities that need a visa; visa-waiver travellers use the NZeTA instead.
- Onward or return travel (unless your visa says it is not required).
- Your own health and travel insurance for the stay.
Taxes
Immigration New Zealand warns that visitors working remotely may have to pay New Zealand tax. If your income is taxed in another country you may not need to pay New Zealand tax while you are in the country for less than 92 days in a 12-month period; if you are tax-resident in one of New Zealand's treaty partners you may be able to stay up to 183 days. The days need not be consecutive. Inland Revenue decides individual cases.
How to apply
Check what you need to enter
Visa-waiver nationals apply for an NZeTA; others apply online for a visitor visa.
Apply after the rule change
Visitor visas applied for on or after 27 January 2025 carry the remote-work condition.
Work only for overseas clients
Keep your employer and clients outside New Zealand.
Track your days
Watch the 92- and 183-day tax thresholds and the visitor-stay limits.
Duration & renewal
A visitor visa lets you stay up to 6 or 9 months, and no more than 9 months in any 18-month period; a multiple-entry visitor visa allows up to 6 months in each 12-month period. There is no nomad-specific extension.
Bringing family
Partners and dependent children can be included in a visitor visa application; visa-waiver family members each need their own NZeTA.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- No special visa or income threshold
- Unlimited remote work for overseas clients
- Visitor visas processed quickly (80% within two weeks)
- Stable, English-speaking, outstanding nature
Considerations
- No residence status — you remain a visitor
- Tax exposure after 92 days (183 for treaty residents)
- Maximum 9 months in any 18
- Far from most time zones