Hospitality NZ welcomes visitor visa change

Hospitality New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s changes to visitor visas to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand.

Visitor visas will now allow people to work remotely for a foreign employer while they are holidaying in New Zealand. The change applies to all visitor visas, including tourists and people visiting family, as well as partners and guardians on longer-term visas. Only remote work which is based overseas is allowed.

“Tourism is New Zealand’s second largest export earner generating revenue of almost $11 billion and creating nearly 200,000 jobs,” says Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis. “Making the country more attractive to ‘digital nomads’ – people who work remotely while travelling – will boost New Zealand’s attractiveness as a destination.”

Steve Armitage, Hospitality NZ Chief Executive, says “It is pleasing to see the Government following through on its recent statement regarding the need to accelerate economic growth, with strong acknowledgment that tourism and hospitality are critical drivers. [The] announcement is not a silver bullet, but it’s certainly a welcome initiative, which we hope results in extended stays and increased spend throughout Aotearoa.

“Digital nomads are a reflection of how the visitor market continues to evolve, and these changes should improve New Zealand’s attractiveness as a destination. This category of visa has been successful in other countries, attracting skilled professionals who contribute to local economies by spending on accommodation, food and beverage and other services without competing for local jobs.

“We also note Immigration Minister Erica Stanford’s comments regarding the Government’s commitment to supporting a smarter, efficient and predictable immigration system to grow the economy. We look forward to seeing more logical changes to the immigration system in due course.”