Working remotely in New Zealand on a visitor visa

Remote work is an activity you do for gain or reward for a company, employer or client that is not in New Zealand. Gain or reward includes work done for payment, or for a benefit that can be valued in terms of money, for example accommodation, food, or services.

If you are self-employed or a digital nomad you can work remotely for clients outside New Zealand.

All visitor visas applied for on or after 27 January 2025 allow you to work remotely in New Zealand. There is no limit to the amount of remote work you can do while you have your visitor visa.

Remote work includes:

• answering emails and phone calls
• coding and testing
• writing reports
• attending meetings or giving presentations to colleagues outside New Zealand
• creating content as a social media influencer – as long as you are not promoting an activity, event or product for gain or reward from a New Zealand business or person in New Zealand.

Remote work does not include any work you do:

• that is for a New Zealand employer
• with a New Zealand business or person in New Zealand in exchange for goods or services, for example free accommodation in exchange for a review
• that requires you to be in New Zealand.

If you want to work for or with a New Zealand-based employer, you must apply for a visa that will allow you to work in New Zealand.

Explore and select a visa

Paying tax while you are in New Zealand

You may have to pay tax if you are visiting New Zealand and working remotely for an overseas business or client.

If your income is taxed in another country or territory, you may not need to pay tax in New Zealand if you are here for less than 92 days in a 12-month period. If you are a tax resident in 1 of the countries and territories New Zealand has a tax treaty with, you may be able to stay in New Zealand for up to 183 days before you need to pay tax. The days do not need to be all at once, for example if you visit New Zealand more than once in a 12-month period.

Contact Inland Revenue to discuss your situation and to check if you will need to pay tax in New Zealand.
Non-resident taxpayers — Inland Revenue