Remote Work on Visitor Visas in New Zealand | Immigration Guidance 2025
Learn the rules and realities of remote work on visitor visas in New Zealand. Understand visa conditions, tax implications, and your options. Expert help from Surani Associates.
Can You Do Remote Work on Visitor Visas in New Zealand?
What Is a Visitor Visa in New Zealand?
A visitor visa in New Zealand allows people to enter the country for a limited period, usually for tourism, visiting family, short-term study, or business meetings. It is not a substitute for a work visa. Many travelers also use the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for short stays of up to three months.
Visitor visa holders are expected to follow visitor visa conditions, which means they should not work in New Zealand for gain or reward. This includes being employed by a New Zealand based employer or performing services that benefit a New Zealand business. Immigration New Zealand is clear that work in New Zealand is restricted unless you hold the appropriate work visa.
However, with the rise of remote workers and digital nomads, questions have surfaced about whether you can work remotely in New Zealand while holding a visitor visa.
What Does Remote Work Mean for Visitor Visa Holders?
Remote work generally means performing tasks for an overseas employer or overseas company while being physically present in another country. This can include:
Answering emails
Writing reports
Phone calls
Phone calls coding
Giving presentations
Managing services for overseas clients
Acting as a social media influencer and creating content
Many digital nomads, freelancers, and people visiting family wonder whether these activities are permitted under visitor visa conditions.
What Do Immigration Rules Say About Working Remotely on a Visitor Visa?
Immigration New Zealand’s immigration instructions are designed to prevent people from taking jobs that should be filled by New Zealand residents. According to the Immigration Act and related visitor visa rules, you cannot accept employment from a New Zealand employer or provide goods or services to New Zealand clients while holding a visitor visa.
However, working remotely for an overseas employer or overseas company without providing services to New Zealand businesses is generally seen as a “grey area.” Immigration New Zealand does not explicitly state that all remote work is forbidden, but the visitor visa conditions stress that activity undertaken in New Zealand should not amount to work in New Zealand.
Can Remote Workers Be Considered Tax Residents in New Zealand?
Whether you are considered a tax resident in New Zealand depends on how long you stay and your ties to the country. If you stay more than 183 days in a 12-month period, you may be treated as a tax resident. This means you may need to pay New Zealand income tax, even if your income comes from an overseas employer.
Key points about tax obligations include:
Staying fewer than 183 days in a 12-month period generally avoids becoming a New Zealand tax resident.
New Zealand has tax treaty agreements with some countries to prevent double taxation.
Visitors providing goods or services to New Zealand clients may trigger local tax obligations.
Even if your income is from an overseas company, if you are physically present in New Zealand and doing the work here, you may need to pay tax.
What About Digital Nomads and Longer Term Visitor Visas?
Digital nomads are people who work remotely while traveling to different countries. While some countries now offer digital nomad visas, New Zealand has not yet created a specific visa for this purpose.
Visitors seeking longer term visitor visas or guardians on longer term visas need to be careful not to breach visa conditions. Immigration New Zealand monitors visitor visas applied for with suspicious work-related activity.
Allowing digital nomads to work remotely in New Zealand could help with economic growth and support local businesses through free accommodation use, tourism, and daily spending. However, current visa rules remain focused on tourism and visiting family rather than working.
What Activities Are Considered Work Under Immigration Rules?
According to visitor visa conditions, any activity that provides gain or reward to a person or a business may be considered work. This includes services for a New Zealand business or a New Zealand based employer.
Examples of activity that may raise concerns:
Coding for New Zealand clients
Giving presentations to a New Zealand business
Creating content specifically for New Zealand clients
Selling goods or services to New Zealand residents
Examples of activity that is generally acceptable:
Answering emails for an overseas employer
Writing reports for overseas company projects
Phone calls with an overseas employer or clients
Social media influencer work that is not focused on New Zealand clients
What Risks Do Remote Workers Face if They Work on Visitor Visas?
Remote workers face risks if they breach visa rules. Immigration New Zealand may cancel visas, refuse entry at arrival gates, or decline future applications.
Risks include:
Breach of visitor visa conditions
Becoming liable for New Zealand income tax or Zealand income tax
Possible deportation if considered working in New Zealand without a proper work visa
Problems with applying for longer term visas in the future
What Are the Alternatives for People Who Want to Work in New Zealand?
If you want to work remotely in New Zealand without risk, you may need to consider a separate visa. Options include:
Work visa such as the accredited employer work visa
Residence visas for those with longer term plans
Business or investor visa if you plan to establish a Zealand business
Partnership-based visas for partners and guardians of New Zealand residents
For students or guardians, there are specific visa categories under Immigration New Zealand rules. For complex immigration cases, it is strongly advised to seek professional guidance.
Useful Information to Guide you:
What Is the Bottom Line on Remote Work and Visitor Visas?
Remote work on visitor visas is a complex and evolving area. While many digital nomads quietly work remotely in New Zealand for overseas employers, the Immigration Act and visitor visa conditions make it clear that working for a New Zealand based employer or New Zealand clients is not permitted.
Before planning to stay in New Zealand and work remotely, consider:
Your visa conditions and whether they allow your activities
The number of days in New Zealand and whether you may become a tax resident
The risks of being seen as working in New Zealand without authorization
The possibility of applying for a work visa or other suitable visa type
Conclusion
Remote workers, digital nomads, and visitors must carefully balance their activities with immigration instructions and tax obligations in New Zealand. While some forms of remote work for overseas employers may be tolerated, working for New Zealand businesses is clearly outside the scope of visitor visas.
For personalized legal guidance on visitor visas, work visas, and remote work in New Zealand, contact Surani Associates. Their team of Auckland-based immigration lawyers can help you navigate visa rules, ensure compliance, and protect your future travel opportunities.
Works Cited
Immigration New Zealand. Visitor Visa Conditions. New Zealand Government, 2025, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas.
Inland Revenue. Tax Residency Rules. New Zealand Government, 2025, https://www.ird.govt.nz/international/residency.
New Zealand Parliament. Immigration Act 2009. New Zealand Legislation, 2009, https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0051/latest/DLM1440303.html.
OECD. Tax Treaties Database. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2025, https://www.oecd.org/tax/treaties/.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I work remotely on a visitor visa in New Zealand?
You can usually work remotely for an overseas employer, but not for a New Zealand based employer or New Zealand clients.
2. Will I have to pay New Zealand income tax if I do remote work?
If you stay more than 183 days in New Zealand within 12 months, you may become a tax resident and pay New Zealand income tax.
3. What if I do freelance work for overseas clients while in New Zealand?
This may be tolerated if you do not provide services to New Zealand businesses, but it remains a legal grey area.
4. Is there a digital nomad visa in New Zealand?
No, New Zealand does not yet offer a digital nomad visa, unlike some other countries.
5. Where can I get help with my visitor visa situation?
You can reach out to Surani Associates for expert immigration advice.
