New Zealand relaxes visa rules to lure digital nomads and influencers

Queenstown in New Zealand. The government is seeking to boost tourism by allowing digital nomads and influencers to stay for up to 90 days on visitor visas without paying tax. Photograph: Miles Holden/Tourism NZ

New Zealand has relaxed its visitor visa rules to attract so-called “digital nomads” in a bid to boost tourism and the economy.

Visitor visas will now allow people to work remotely for a foreign employer while they are visiting New Zealand for up to 90 days. The visa can be extended up to nine months but visitors may need to pay tax during this time.