New Zealand has relaxed its visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting the country in a bid to boost its tourism sector.
Under the new rules, visitors to the country can now carry out remote work for a foreign employer while on holiday for up to 90 days.
The country's government said the move aims to make New Zealand “more attractive to digital nomads”, referring to people who travel while working remotely.
New Zealand's Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said: “The change will enable many visitors to extend their stay, which will result in more money being spent in the country.”
The government said the changes apply to all visitor visas, including tourists, people visiting family, partners and guardians on long-term visas.
He added that only remote work has been allowed abroad, while visitors required to be employed in the country still must obtain the appropriate visas.
New Zealand's tourism industry generates revenue of about $11 billion, according to the government.
Several other countries have introduced visa programs for digital nomads over the past few years in an attempt to attract a growing number of people looking for opportunities to travel while working remotely.
The trend took off in 2010, Mostly among young workers Who were looking to escape from their daily routine. It was further reinforced by the Covid-19 pandemic, when lockdowns around the world led to a shift in attitudes towards remote working.
Countries offering digital nomad visas include Japan, South Korea, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Brazil, Spain and Portugal.
But the presence of digital nomads in some places has sparked debate. in Cape Town, South AfricaCritics say the influx of remote workers has driven up costs.
The influx of visitors to countries such as Spain and Greece also led to heated protests against the unrest.
