New Zealand Now Welcoming Digital Nomads — What to Know Before Going

New Zealand is making it easier to plan an extended stay by relaxing visa requirements to allow digital nomads to work from the country remotely.

The country will now allow visitors to work for an overseas business while traveling to boost the local economy, according to Erica Standford, New Zealand’s immigration minister. As part of the new program, travelers can work remotely in the country for up to 90 days, according to Tourism New Zealand. These workers may be able to stay longer, but may then need to pay tax in New Zealand as a result.

Travelers from the United States can enter New Zealand for up to three months without a visa as part of the country’s visa waiver program. However, they must still show proof of onward travel arrangements.

“This is a brand-new market of tourists New Zealand can tap into. We want people to see our country as the ideal place to visit and work while they do it,” Stanford said in a statement. “The change will enable many visitors to extend their stays which will lead to more money being spent in the country.”

The new policy comes as New Zealand’s Tourism Minister Louise Upston said digital nomad programs are becoming more and more common.

“Many countries offer digital nomad visas and the list is growing, so we need to keep pace to ensure New Zealand is an attractive destination for people who want to ‘workcation’ abroad,” Upston said. “Compared to other kinds of visitors, international remote workers have the potential to spend more time and money in New Zealand, including during the shoulder season.”

For its part, New Zealand is known for having a good quality of life, outperforming the global average when it comes to metrics like income, jobs, education, environmental quality, social connections, civic engagement, and life satisfaction, according to the OECD Better Life Index. The country ranks especially high in the health and community categories.

The country features a diverse landscape and boasts everything from picturesque vineyards and waterfront golf courses to dramatic mountains perfect for skiing and more.