New Zealand relaxes visa rules for 'digital nomads'
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The reading
There is good news for people who want to work in New Zealand. The country has relaxed its visa rules. It wants to attract "digital nomads" to live and work in the country for up to nine months. A digital nomad is someone who can travel and live anywhere because they work online. New Zealand has a new visa that allows visitors to work remotely for a foreign employer for three months. This can be extended for up to nine months. However, someone staying for nine months may have to pay tax. Economic growth minister Nicola Willis hopes the new visa will help New Zealand's economy. She said: "We want more wealthy and super-talented people coming [through] the arrival gates."
New Zealand's economy has suffered in recent years. The Covid pandemic hurt the country's tourism industry. It has not yet recovered to pre-Covid levels. Another thing that is affecting the economy is the number of young people leaving New Zealand. Record numbers of people in their twenties are going overseas to work. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford hoped the visitors with the new visa will spend more money. This will boost the economy. She said: "I expect in their time here, visitors will spend longer than they normally would. They will spend more because they're here for longer. And the thing that we're really hoping for, is that they fall in love with the place."
Sources:
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/28/new-zealand-relaxes-visa-rules-to-lure-digital-nomads-and-influencers
- https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-loosens-visitor-visa-rules-welcome-digital-nomads-2025-01-27/
- https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/540177/visas-for-digital-nomads-a-positive-step-commentators-say-but-there-are-potential-complications
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