May 8, 2025 7:50 pm
Full News

New Zealand Courts Digital Nomads with Relaxed Visa Rules to Revitalize Tourism Sector

In a strategic move to rejuvenate its tourism industry and stimulate economic growth, New Zealand has announced a relaxation of its visa regulations to attract digital nomads—individuals who work remotely while traveling. This initiative allows visitors to work for foreign employers while holidaying in New Zealand for up to 90 days without having to pay local taxes, after which standard resident taxes apply.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford highlighted the potential economic benefits of this policy, noting that it would encourage longer stays and increased spending within the country. “The change will enable many visitors to extend their stays, which will lead to more money being spent in the country,” Stanford stated.

The decision comes at a time when New Zealand’s economy is grappling with the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic, which included prolonged border closures that severely impacted the tourism sector. Before the pandemic, tourism was New Zealand’s largest export industry, contributing over NZ$40 billion annually to the economy. However, these figures have sharply declined in recent years.

Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis expressed optimism that the new visa rules would attract highly skilled individuals connected to global industries, without them competing for local jobs. “These are jobs they hold offshore and that they’ll be able to stay connected to while in New Zealand,” Willis explained.

The relaxed visa regulations apply to all visitor categories, including tourists and those visiting family, partners, and guardians on longer-term visas. It specifies that only remote work based overseas is permissible, with visitors requiring appropriate visas for local employment.

This policy aligns New Zealand with several other countries that have introduced similar visa programs for digital nomads, a trend that gained momentum in the 2010s and was accelerated by the global shift towards remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Spain, and Portugal have also opened their doors to this new wave of travelers.

However, the rise of digital nomadism has not been without controversy. In places like Cape Town and popular destinations in Spain and Greece, locals have raised concerns about the impact of these remote workers on living costs and over-tourism, which has sometimes led to public unrest.

As New Zealand navigates these new waters, the government remains hopeful that inviting digital nomads will serve as a catalyst for recovery in the tourism sector, balancing the economic benefits with the social dynamics introduced by this modern workforce. The initiative is seen as a critical step toward overcoming the economic stagnation exacerbated by high inflation rates and interest hikes, which have stifled growth and increased unemployment within the country.

Related News
Call by Top EU Diplomat to End Israeli Attacks in Gaza
Rodriguez’s viocano chapter ends in five months
China Warns Trump Against “Mutually Destructive” Tariff War Over Fentanyl Trade
Catastrophic Flooding in Australia
Trump Wants a Quick End to the Ukraine-Russia War
Bodies of 29 Migrants Recovered in Libya
Related Posts
Biggest Stock Market Crash in a Decade Hits Bangladesh
India-Pakistan Tensions Shake South Asia, Clouds Loom Over Bangladesh’s Economy
Multiple Explosions Reported on Walton Road in Lahore
Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz Rises to No. 2 in ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings
Houthi Spokesperson: Ceasefire Deal with U.S. Does Not Include Israel
India-Pakistan Conflict“I Know Both Nations Well, This Must End”: Trump Calls for Peace
More News

The World’s Largest Iceberg On The Way To Collision With The Island, What Could Be The Result

The world’s largest iceberg is moving closer to a remote UK island. It is feared that it will collide with the island, endangering animals such as penguins and seals that roam the area. The iceberg is steadily moving north from Antarctica towards the UK remote area of ​​South Georgia. The region is also known as […]

Russia Agrees to Talks with the United States

Russia has expressed its willingness to engage in discussions with the United States regarding the Ukraine issue. On Thursday, January 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed this. Former U.S. President Donald Trump also stated that he wishes to meet Putin as soon as possible. Before his victory in the November 5 election, […]

Security Concerns: India Shuts Down Over Half of Jammu and Kashmir’s Tourist Spots

Following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, security forces and police have launched anti-terror operations across Jammu and Kashmir. To facilitate these operations and prioritize tourist safety, the central government of India has temporarily shut down more than half of the tourist centers in Kashmir. According to reports, there are a total of 87 tourist […]

Medvedev Mocks Macron’s Warning on Russian Threat

March 6, 2025: Russian former president Dmitry Medvedev mocked French President Emmanuel Macron’s warning that Russia poses a threat to France and Europe. Medvedev, now deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, dismissed Macron’s concerns and claimed the French leader would not be missed once he leaves office. “Russia has become, as I speak to you […]

Israeli Forces Kill 32 Palestinians in a Day, Target Kamal Adwan Hospital Amid Escalating Violence

The relentless violence in Gaza continues as Israeli military strikes have killed at least 32 Palestinians and injured 54 others in the past 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. The attacks, targeting multiple locations across the besieged territory, underscore the escalating humanitarian crisis and the dire conditions faced by millions of residents […]

Global LGBTQ News 2024: Key Developments Shaping the Year

Nafis Sadique Shatil The year 2024 has been marked by significant milestones and challenges for LGBTQ communities worldwide. From legal advancements to disheartening crackdowns, here are the top stories that shaped the year. In a concerning trend, multiple African nations moved to tighten or introduce anti-LGBTQ laws. Ghana’s parliament passed the controversial Promotion of Proper […]

Myanmar Junta Chief Announces Election Timeline

Myanmar’s military junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, announced that the country’s general election would take place in December 2025 or January 2026. This will be the first election since the military seized power in a coup in 2021. According to Myanmar’s state media, Global New Light of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing stated, “We are planning […]

Is ‘Barbie’ Making a Comeback?

After Barbie became a global sensation, grossing over $1.4 billion at the box office, the inevitable question arose: Will there be a sequel? According to reports, director Greta Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach are now working on a story for Barbie 2 and have already pitched their idea to Warner Bros. While it’s still in […]

Bangladesh Army Puts Lt Gen Faizur Rahman Under Surveillance Over Alleged Coup Plot

Dhaka, March 11, 2025 – A senior Bangladeshi military official, Lieutenant General Faizur Rahman, has been placed under surveillance over allegations of attempting to stage a coup within the Bangladesh Army, sources told India Today. The order was issued by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman after intelligence reports flagged suspicious activities by Faizur Rahman, a known […]

Message from Commonwealth All-Party Parliamentary Group to Bangladesh’s Interim Government and Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus Regarding Minority Violence

In a significant gathering held in Room 108 of the British Parliament, the Commonwealth All-Party Parliamentary Group convened to address the alarming reports of brutality against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The meeting, hosted by APPG Chair Andrew Rosindell, brought together members from various political parties, emphasizing the […]