If your job lets you telecommute from any location, New Zealand may now be one of the destinations you can visit while keeping up your work commitments. The country has recently updated its visa policies to allow visitors to work remotely during their stay.
The new conditions apply whether you’re a freelancer, a digital nomad, or a remote employee for any company based outside of New Zealand. In this post, you’ll find all the details you need about remote working while visiting New Zealand.
Is there a digital nomad visa for New Zealand?
New Zealand does not have a dedicated visa for digital nomads. However, you can now legally stay and work remotely for an overseas employer while visiting with another type of travel authorisation or Visit Visa.
You will not incur any local tax obligations in New Zealand. The only requirements are that you do not take up work in New Zealand’s job market, and that you comply with the permitted period of stay.
Can I work online while visiting New Zealand with an eTA?
The New Zealand government launched changes to the permitted activities for visitors with an Electronic Travel Authority (eTA) on 27 January 2025.
You’re now allowed to work digitally while visiting for tourism, family visits, or other types of short stays. Your work must be for your own business, or an employer or client based outside of New Zealand.
How long can I stay as a digital nomad in New Zealand?
An approved eTA allows you to stay and work remotely in New Zealand for up to 3 months, or up to 6 months if you hold a UK passport.
If you visit the country more than once in 12 months, your total time spent cannot exceed 6 months.
Can all remote workers get an eTA?
The eTA for New Zealand has specific requirements for applicants. You must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible visa-waiver country
- Hold a passport with at least 3 months’ validity after you leave New Zealand
- Have sufficient funds to support your stay
- Hold a return ticket or proof of onward travel for the end of your stay
To get an eTA for remote work, you can apply in the usual way. To be granted entry to New Zealand, you must have all the essential travel documents ready to present to border officials on arrival, including a completed Traveller Declaration.
If you’re not eligible for an eTA, you should apply for a Visitor Visa, or visit a New Zealand embassy instead.
Can I work remotely with a NZ Visitor Visa?
Travellers with a Visitor Visa can also now work remotely while travelling through New Zealand, thanks to the updated rules. It’s open to most nationalities, and usually allows stays of up to 9 months.
The Visitor Visa for remote work is suitable for people who:
- Are not eligible for an eTA
- Need to stay longer than the eTA allows
If you have dual-citizenship, base your eTA or visa application on the nationality of the passport you’ll travel with. If one of your nationalities is eligible for the eTA, this usually has a quicker approval process.
If you hold a Visitor Visa, you cannot do work for a New Zealand-based company, whether in-person or remotely.
Requirements for digital nomads living in New Zealand temporarily
To work digitally from New Zealand as a visitor, you must:
- Comply with the permitted length of stay of your eTA or Visitor Visa
- Have enough funds to support yourself without picking up extra work locally
- Work exclusively for an employer or client based outside New Zealand
- Complete work projects that do not involve engaging with the local job market
You’re also recommended to take out health insurance, as citizens of other countries are not eligible for free healthcare in New Zealand.
Tax implications for remote workers
As your work does not involve the local job market, you’re not considered a tax resident while working remotely in New Zealand.
Even though you’re not liable for tax in New Zealand, make sure to check the tax rules in your home country. You might be required to declare your income when working remotely abroad.
If you plan to work with clients in New Zealand as a freelancer, or for a local company during your stay, you’re not eligible for an eTA or Visitor Visa. You may need a work visa and will be required to pay tax on your earnings in New Zealand.
Can I switch to a work visa while in New Zealand?
It’s not possible to switch from an eTA or Visitor Visa to a work visa while in New Zealand. If you’re travelling to start a job with a New Zealand-based company, you must apply for a work visa before entering the country.
Your employer will help to sponsor an application for the right type of work visa once you have accepted a job offer.
