New Zealand has decided to relax the rules for issuing visitor visas to attract digital nomads - people who work remotely. According to the new conditions, such visas will allow them to stay in the country for up to 90 days and work for overseas employers, with the possibility of extending the stay for up to nine months. However, tax liabilities may arise.
Minister of Economic Growth, Nicola Willis, emphasized that simplifying the visa regime will make New Zealand more attractive for investment and tourism. She noted that digital nomads working for foreign companies will not create competition for local residents in the labor market, which is one of the advantageous aspects of this initiative. According to her, the main goal is to attract wealthy and talented professionals, which will bring additional profits to the country.
At the same time, criticism has also come from the opposition, which points to the dual approaches of government policy. For example, last year the government reduced the number of jobs in public services and limited remote work for its employees. Opposition MP Barbara Edmonds said long-term solutions to boost economic growth were needed rather than temporary measures.
New Zealand's economy is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, with tourism, once a major export industry, suffering significant losses. Despite the growing numbers in tourism, questions remain about the impact of the influx of foreign digital nomads on the housing market and local population, as seen in other countries that have adopted similar initiatives.
Minister of Economic Growth, Nicola Willis, emphasized that simplifying the visa regime will make New Zealand more attractive for investment and tourism. She noted that digital nomads working for foreign companies will not create competition for local residents in the labor market, which is one of the advantageous aspects of this initiative. According to her, the main goal is to attract wealthy and talented professionals, which will bring additional profits to the country.
At the same time, criticism has also come from the opposition, which points to the dual approaches of government policy. For example, last year the government reduced the number of jobs in public services and limited remote work for its employees. Opposition MP Barbara Edmonds said long-term solutions to boost economic growth were needed rather than temporary measures.
New Zealand's economy is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, with tourism, once a major export industry, suffering significant losses. Despite the growing numbers in tourism, questions remain about the impact of the influx of foreign digital nomads on the housing market and local population, as seen in other countries that have adopted similar initiatives.
