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The New Zealand government is exploring the viability of a specialized visa for digital nomads.
According to a report published by The Post, New Zealand’s Immigration Minister Erica Stanford explained that while a visa is under consideration it is not an immediate priority as the government is currently focused on reforming other aspects of its immigration policies.
However, the establishment of a digital nomad visa does seem to be on the docket for the National Party. In 2023, prior to New Zealand’s general election, the country’s National Party outlined plans to promote growth in the tech industry. One of the main bullet points of the plan included establishing an official digital nomad visa.
The initial plan reveals a 12-month visa to attract skilled workers who work remotely for companies based outside the country. Also, the initiative would give individuals the opportunity to apply for a work or residence visa if they decide to stay in the country.
For the inaugural year, the proposed digital nomad visa would limit the number of individuals to 250 applicants, according to a report published by RNZ.
New Zealand introducing a digital nomad visa would come at a time when countries around the world are increasingly competing to attract remote workers and skilled talent by offering attractive visa programs and tax incentives. To date, no tax policies or incentives for a potential digital nomad visa have been announced from New Zealand’s government.
Millions of digital nomads are taking advantage of these programs, and governments around the world have taken notice of the potential for positive economic impact. Over 60 countries now offer digital nomad visas, including Barbados, Peru, Canada, Spain, and Japan, among many others.
According to The Post, proponents of New Zealand’s digital nomad visa argue that welcoming digital nomads is mostly positive: the concept of permitting skilled talent from abroad to enter a country, therefore, increasing spending into the local economy without displacing domestic workers. However, critics of a potential digital nomad visa question the fairness of providing tax breaks to foreign workers who may earn significantly more than local employees in similar roles.
As the government weighs its options, there is evidence that a growing number of New Zealanders are themselves being drawn overseas by the allure of remote work and lower living costs. According to the World Economic Forum’s white paper, “The Rise of Global Digital Jobs,” approximately 73 million individuals engage in digital and global jobs with remote work options, projected to reach 92 million by 2030. If New Zealand wishes would capitalize on the trend, it must carefully consider how to position itself in an increasingly borderless labor market while balancing economic competitiveness with making it fair playing field for locals.
