Want to work remotely while traveling to the ends of the world? Then discover how you can get a New Zealand digital nomad visa.
March 14, 2025
By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP
In July 2024, the net migration of New Zealand was 13 per 1,000. It’s not a very high number, but the country is still an interesting place to move to, especially if you like to go outside your comfort zone.
You can always go to New Zealand on a tourist visa, like in any other country. However, a concern you may have is whether or not you can work, and you’re interested in a digital nomad visa.
So this begs the question: Can you get a New Zealand digital nomad visa? If so, then how can you apply for it, and what are the requirements? Read on to find out the answers to all your important questions.
Does New Zealand Have a Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes, there is a digital nomad visa in New Zealand. But it’s not a regular digital nomad visa in that there’s a distinct visa you have to apply for. Instead, it falls under the regular visitor visa.
As of January 27, 2025, the nation’s government updated its visitor visa requirements to accommodate digital nomads and remote workers. This means that while residing in New Zealand, you can work remotely for foreign employers or clients; you cannot work for a New Zealand-based employer. What’s great is that you can do as much work as you want, as there’s no minimum income requirement.
The visa is good for up to 90 days, but you can extend it to nine months if you wish. Do note that if you ask for an extension, you may need to pay domestic taxes.
What Counts as Remote Work?
As we’ve mentioned above, remote work includes activities you do for an overseas company, employer, or client. It can be anything from answering emails, coding, and writing reports, to attending virtual meetings and creating content for foreign platforms.
If a job requires you to be in New Zealand, then that doesn’t count as remote work. And needless to say, it also doesn’t count if your employer or client is based in the country. In addition, if you’re exchanging your labor for goods and services with a New Zealand business or person.
New Zealand Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
The requirements for this visa depend on whether you’re from a visa waiver country. If you are, then you’ll apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), which lets you stay in the country for up to three months (six months for UK citizens). It’s not technically a visa, but it’s still something you have to apply for beforehand to be allowed into New Zealand.
Those who are from non-visa-waiver countries have to apply for a regular visitor visa instead. Or if you want to stay longer than three months (six months for UK citizens), then you’ll have to apply for a visitor visa too.
Applying for an NZeTA
To apply for an NZeTA, you’ll need the following (documents that aren’t in English must have certified translations):
- Proof of identity (passport)
- Confirmation of good health
- Confirmation of good character (no criminal convictions)
- Sufficient funds (At least NZD $1,000 for each month of your stay; NZD $400 if you’ve already paid for accommodations)
- Proof of onward travel
Do note that if you’re arriving by plane, you must be a citizen of a visa waiver country. However, if you’re arriving by cruise or cargo ship, you can be any nationality. Also, you can only visit New Zealand for up to six months in any 12-month period.
Before you arrive in New Zealand, you must complete a traveler declaration up to 24 hours before you leave for your trip. If immigration is satisfied with your application, then you’ll get a visa waiver visitor visa at the border, which is free.
The NZeTA itself costs NZD $17 through immigration’s free app or NZD $23 if you complete it online. You’ll also have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levl (IVL), which costs NZD $100.
Applying for a Visitor Visa
The requirements for the New Zealand visitor visa are the same as with the NZeTA. However, the costs start at NZD $341 and most applications are processed within 3.5 weeks. So apply early if you’re certain about visiting the nation.
Tax Implications
In general, you won’t be subject to New Zealand income tax if you’re working remotely for a foreign employer. However, this all changes if your stay is longer than 92 days within a 12-month period.
An exemption is if you’re from a country with a double tax agreement (DTA) with New Zealand. The 92 days would then be extended to 183 days.
Alternatives to the New Zealand Digital Nomad Visa
If you want to go to New Zealand but don’t think the digital nomad visa is right for you, then you may be wondering about the alternatives. Here are a few to consider.
Working Holiday Visa
If you’re between 18 to 30 (or 35, depending on the country), you may be eligible for the nation’s working holiday visa. Essentially, you can work and travel in New Zealand for up to 12 months (23 months for those from Canada, and 36 months for those from the UK).
While you can work on this visa, you can’t take permanent jobs. If that’s what you’re aiming for, then the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the better choice.
Those who want to work and study simultaneously can do so on this visa. More specifically, you can do one or more courses for up to six months.
The Golden Visa Program
Looking to be more than a temporary New Zealand digital nomad? Then try the golden visa program if you have money to invest.
Officially known as the Active Investor Plus visa, the golden visa program paves the road toward permanent residency in the country. What’s interesting is that the government is making it easier to obtain as of April 1, 2025, as they’re getting rid of the English language requirement.
In addition, there will be two clear portfolio types that have different minimum stay requirements, with lower investment requirements than before. The two programs are Growth (higher risk; NZD $5 million over three years) and Balanced (mixed risk; NZD $10 million over five years).
Get Your New Zealand Digital Nomad Visa
As you’ve learned, there’s a New Zealand digital nomad visa available, although not in the regular sense. Instead, it’s been rolled in with the visitor visa.
On top of that, not everyone has to get a visitor visa, as some parties may fall into the visa waiver list. In that case, you’ll apply for the NZeTA and receive a visa waiver visitor visa instead.
Get in touch with us today if you’d like to know more about protecting your assets during relocation. Global Wealth Protection can teach you effective internationalization strategies to save you money – wherever you come from, and however you earn it.
