New Zealand has eased its visa requirements to attract so -called “digital nomads” – people who travel while working remotely – in an attempt to strengthen tourism.
According to the new rules, visitors can do remote work for a foreign employer while resting in the country for up to 90 days, after which they may need to pay the resident tax.
“Change will allow many visitors to extend their stay, which will lead to more money in the country,” said immigration minister Erica Stanford.
New Zealand is currently in an economic recession and its tourism industry has been heavily affected by its borders during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We welcome visitors of all types in New Zealand and in this specific message those who are able to work as digital nomads here on our shores,” Stanford said.
The government said the changes are being applied to all visas for visitors, including tourists and people visiting family, partners and guardians for longer-term visas.
He added that only remote work abroad was allowed, while visitors whose employment required them to be in the country still had to receive appropriate visas.
Economic Growth Minister Nicolas Willis said he hoped this move would attract “highly qualified people with roles who associate them with companies and industries worldwide.”
“These are the jobs they take in an offshore and they will be able to stay connected while in New Zealand,” Willis said, adding that “they will not compete for jobs in Kiwi.”
Prior to Covid-19, tourism was the largest export industry in the country and contributed more than $ 40 billion ($ 22 billion, $ 18 billion) to the economy, according to tourism New Zealand. But this figure has decreased in recent years after the pandemic.
This is part of the wider economic difficulties that the country is facing. Increasing interest rates fed by high inflation, there is an economic growth in the country stagnation, leading to an increase in unemployment and the number of people seeking work abroad.
New Zealand is the most native of a number of countries that have introduced visa programs for digital nomads in the last few years – attractive to increasing people looking for travel opportunities while working remotely.
The trend flew in 2010, Most of the young workers who were looking to escape from their daily lives. It was further supported by the Covid-19 pandemic, when world blocks led to a change in attitude towards remote work.
Countries offering digital nomad visas include Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Spain and Portugal.
But the presence of digital nomads in some places also caused debate. In South African city Cape TownDetractors claim that the influx of remote workers has led to an increase in costs.
The influx of visitors to countries such as Spain and Greece also nourishes heated protests against over -tourism.