New Zealand said on Monday it would introduce looser visa rules to allow holidaymakers to work remotely while visiting the country in a bid to boost its tourism sector and economy.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said in a statement that visitor visas will be changed from January 27 to allow people to work while traveling in the country.
“This is a whole new market that New Zealand tourists can take advantage of. “We want people to see our country as an ideal place to visit and work,” he said.
She said at a press conference after the announcement that she was unsure how many people would take advantage of the opportunity, but that the digital nomad visa has been “extraordinarily popular” overseas and New Zealand is targeting people who want to work here and Want the opportunity to travel. ,
“I expect that during their time here they’ll spend more time than usual, they’ll spend more because they’ve been here longer, and the thing we’re really hoping for is that they fall in love with this place.” Will be done.” He said.
New Zealand’s economy plunged into technical recession in the third quarter of 2024 and the government is looking for ways to boost growth. The tourism sector has not fully bounced back from the closure of borders during the COVID-19 pandemic with international visitors at around 86% of 2019 levels.
Economic Development Minister Nicola Willis said, “The Government’s ambition is that the new visa rules will boldly put New Zealand on the map as a welcoming haven for the world’s talent.”
“We hope that in some cases, it will encourage those people and the companies they represent to consider doing more business with New Zealand in the future,” Willis said.