We are frequently asked if clients can work remotely on a temporary visa in New Zealand. This is an increasingly popular option which offers the lifestyle advantages of New Zealand without losing overseas income.
However there are some important factors to consider.
The basic rule
Immigration New Zealand’s definition of “work” is any activity undertaken in New Zealand for gain or reward whether for a New Zealand company or an overseas company. This is a particularly wide definition. New Zealand was not a very welcoming country for digital nomads.
The change in early 2025 for visitors
From 27 January 2025 for all visitors, including tourists and people visiting family, and partners and guardians on longer-term visitor visas were allowed to work remotely. Many we suspect were already doing so! But now it’s legal
These new conditions mean that tourists can stay in New Zealand as a digital nomad and keep in touch with work back home, without breaching their visa conditions. Both visitor visa recipients and people who enter with an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) will receive these conditions.
Visitor visa holders must not:
- work for a New Zealand employer
- provide goods or services to people or businesses in New Zealand
- do work that requires them to be physically present at a workplace in New Zealand.
But what about when my visitor visa expires?
Visitor visas usually last for up to nine months it can’t be extended by a further three months in certain circumstances such as when you were waiting for your residents to come through. We can advise you on a variety of options after that point such as applying for a specific purpose work visa we have been successful in obtaining visas for people who
Check out your tax obligations
If you intend to spend less than 92 days in New Zealand in any 12-month period, their income earned while working remotely from New Zealand for an overseas employer is not subject to New Zealand income tax if the income is subject to income tax in another country .After that the rules change. Between 92 and 183 days in New Zealand in a 12-month period, the income from remote work for an overseas employer may not be subject to tax in New Zealand if the person is tax resident in one of the 40 plus countries with which New Zealand has a tax treaty.
Check with IRD or an appropriate accountant for an accountant for your obligations
Who can’t work remotely?
The two biggest exclusion that surprises most of our clients are partner visas which for those issued before December 2024 required them to work for accredited employers. Immigration NZ have issued guidance on partner visas. If you are on such a visa it is advisable to seek a variation of conditions for open work conditions that may allow you to work for an overseas employer
If you work remotely on these visas you do so at your own risk. Immigration New Zealand may not become aware of the work but if it does come to light you could be served with a deportation liability notice or just be deemed a non-bona fide applicant which blocks you from further applications until a character waiver is issued. It’s not worth the risk. Get advice first. Contact us for assistance.
Can I work on my electronic travel authority?
The short answer is “no”. Your electronic travel authority from a visa free country is a visitor visa and does not permit work. Obviously checking the odd email from your office is very minimal and unlikely to attract compliance attention.
Who can definitely work remotely?
People holding an open work visa, including :
- Partners of high skilled (ANZSCO level 1-3) or lower skilled but highly paid (at least $47.41 per hour) workers visa holders. There are also Green List and industry specific exceptions.
- Partners of New Zealand residents or citizens.
- Partners of masters or PhD student visa holders and a limited range of bachelor and graduate diploma student visa holders for occupations on the Green List or otherwise exempt (we can advise further on this).
- Post study work visa holders who have graduated at level 7 or above.(generally bachelors or graduate diploma level or above). Some student and graduate visas requirement work to be relevant to the qualification- these are not open work visas.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Important note for partners of AEWV holders
Partners granted partner based work visas from May 2023 to mid-2024 were restricted to work for accredited employers at medium wage. If their partner’s work visa application was submitted on or before 26 June 2024, and the partner earns at least at least $25.29 per hour they can now apply for a variation of conditions to open work conditions. Contact us for more information.
Who may also be able to work remotely
Business visitor visa holders who have come for the purpose of purchasing machinery, marketing or other related meetings that relate to their offshore business.
This is a great option if you were planning to come to New Zealand short term, for specific meetings for marketing or purchases.
However if the work progresses to a New Zealand based employment agreement or contract you need to apply for an appropriate work visa
Specific purpose work visa holders. This could include those setting up a new branch in New Zealand or seconded to New Zealand Business may have part of all of their work under contract with an offshore company. This is a neglected option. This is ideal for specific projects and the short and medium term. We have a great deal of expertise with this visa type.
Student visas that have open work rights allow part-time work, usually up to 20 hours per week and over the holidays. These tend to be for higher level courses.
What other kind of visas do not allow remote work? (examples)
Accredited employee work visas which name a specific New Zealand employer do not permit any remote work. If you want to be permitted to do some additional work, with the permission of your employer you would need to apply for a job change. This would have to be only a small number of hours so that you met the minimum 30 hours per week and your accredited employment
Entrepreneur work visas generally do not permit offshore work except when related to the business established in New Zealand. You are expected to work full-time in the business in New Zealand
These are a few examples.
The information here was current as at January 2025. Immigration rules change frequently and every situation is different. The above examples are not exhaustive. Get advice specific to your case.
The team have had years of experience and advising on these issues. We will be delighted to assist you. Contact us today.
