New Zealand has alleviated visa rules to attract so -called “digital nomaders” to support tourism and economy.
Visitors can work remotely for foreign employers while visiting New Zealand for up to 90 days. Visas can be extended to up to 9 months, but during this time visitors may need to pay taxes.
Nicola Willis, the Minister of Economic growth, stated that digital nomads (people who work remotely while traveling) would be easier to work in New Zealand. Visas are expanded to influencers as long as they are paid by overseas companies.
“We don't just sell it to ourselves,” she told the media conference and added to people around the world a legitimate reason for investing in New Zealand. Advanced IT workers in the United States and East Asia are targeted in the promotion campaign.
“We want more wealth and very talented people to come to the arrival,” said Willis.
Since digital nomads work in overseas companies, Willis states that they are not competing with New Zealanders for local jobs, and some people may bend rules, but the advantages are higher than risk. 。
“We are not going to check the number of emails they send and how many days they are working. We want them to spend the money they have earned. “
The New Zealand economy suffered from the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week, HSBC said Local media The country experienced the largest shrinkage in GDP in any country in the world in 2024 for high interest rates and unemployment.
Sightseeing was also a hit. Before the pandemic, this sector was the largest export industry in New Zealand, delivering $ 40.09 billion to the country. The latest numbers indicate that these numbers have caught up, and sightseeing has brought $ 37.7 billion in 2023.
More than 50 countries provide visas for digital nomads, but their existence is not always welcome. Local people living in Spain, Portugal, and South Africa have criticized the inflow of tourists and digital nomads because they contribute to tension in the housing market.
In response to this presentation, Barbara Edmons, a spokesman of opposition financial financials, criticized the lack of information about how much the economy grows, and added that Willis's policy is a double standard. 。
Last year, the government warned public service employees that working remotely was not a qualification. In order to save money, the employment of about 10,000 from public services has been reduced.
“With one hand, she asks a foreigner to come here to work at home, and we are conducting a strict policy to stop doing the same thing,” said Edmons. Ta. “We need a true long -term solution for economic growth. It's not a short -term sugar blow.”
