New Zealand Welcomes Digital Nomads: How To Get Your Visa 

Is New Zealand in your digital nomad bucket listing? You’re in luck.

Recognized for its pure magnificence, manuka honey, and as “center earth” to Lord Of The Rings followers, New Zealand has lately relaxed its guidelines round visas to draw extra tourism and distant staff.

Whereas an official digital nomad visa remains to be within the works, it’s now simpler than ever for travellers to acquire an entry visa. 

Right here’s the whole lot you could find out about New Zealand’s newest visa laws, and methods to apply to reside within the nation as a digital nomad.

New Zealand’s new visa guidelines

Underneath the brand new guidelines, digital nomads can now receive a vacationer visa and reside in New Zealand for as much as 90 days. This may be prolonged as much as 9 months, however a resident’s tax could then apply. 

The federal government additionally said final month that solely distant work for an abroad employer will probably be permitted. For these guests whose work requires them to be within the nation, they may nonetheless must get the suitable visas.

Eric Standford, Immigration Minister for New Zealand, commented: “The change will allow many guests to increase their stays, which can result in more cash being spent within the nation.

“We welcome guests of all sorts to New Zealand and on this specific announcement, those that are in a position to work as digital nomads right here on our shores.”

New Zealand’s financial system tries to get better post-pandemic

Very similar to the remainder of the world, New Zealand’s financial system took successful within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier than, the nation’s tourism was its largest export trade, contributing NZD$40 billion (roughly £18 billion) to the financial system.

The pandemic’s results finally pushed New Zealand into recession in September 2020 – the worldwide journey ban severely impacted its retail, hospitality, lodging and transportation sectors probably the most.

Luckily, the nation appears to be getting again on its toes. With lockdown restrictions lifted, the rise in guests over 2024 noticed New Zealand’s tourism market get better to 85% of pre-pandemic ranges, equating to three.3 million arrivals.

Now, in excellent news for distant staff and UK freelancers, the nation is pushing for tourism development by embracing digital nomads with open arms.

“We merely gained’t get wealthy promoting to ourselves,” financial development minister Nicola Wills stated. “We would like extra wealth and super-talented individuals coming within the arrival gates. We’re not going to be testing what number of emails they’re sending and what number of days they’re spending working. We simply need them to be right here and spending their hard-earned cash.”

Find out how to apply to be a digital nomad

Should you’re seeking to turn out to be a digital nomad in New Zealand, otherwise you’re already a working globetrotter, you possibly can simply apply for an entry visa on-line. Nevertheless, to be eligible, you have to meet the next necessities:

• A legitimate passport
• Employment with an organization primarily based exterior New Zealand
• Cause for visiting
• Proof of revenue, which is a minimal of NZ$1,000 per 30 days
• Proof of onward journey (you have to go away on the finish of your keep)
• Certificates of fine well being
• A chest X-ray (should you plan to remain longer than six months)
• Prison background test
• Proof of worldwide medical health insurance

It’s essential to additionally pay a NZD$341 (roughly £195.26) software price.

Should you meet all the necessities, you possibly can apply for a customer visa by means of the official on-line portal. To start your software course of, you have to to register for a RealMe account. Processing time normally takes round 4 weeks to finish.