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Visitor visa with remote work

Remote work

Not a separate visa. Since January 2025 the standard visitor conditions expressly allow working remotely for an overseas employer, which makes an ordinary visitor stay a lawful option for remote workers — up to nine months in an 18-month period.

Who it is for. Remote workers employed by or contracting with organisations outside New Zealand.

Researched, not independently verifiedmedium confidenceReviewed 20 September 2026

Worth knowing. The change took effect on 27 January 2025 and applies to visitor visas and to visa-waiver entries. It does not permit work for a New Zealand employer, and it does not displace tax residency rules.

Fact
Income required
Not stated
Savings required
Not stated
Investment required
None
Application fee
Not stated
Processing time
1–30 days
Permission lasts
9 months

Renewable

Permanent residence
Not via this route
Citizenship
Not via this route
Remote work allowedLocal employment not allowedFamily can join
Apply through the authority, not through us: www.immigration.govt.nz (opens in a new tab)

Sources

Researched, not independently verifiedmedium confidenceReviewed 20 September 2026

Worth knowing. The change took effect on 27 January 2025 and applies to visitor visas and to visa-waiver entries. It does not permit work for a New Zealand employer, and it does not displace tax residency rules.

Check this against

Reference dataset, compiled 20 September 2026. This is a compiled reference dataset. Every figure is drawn from official material and cited, but no record has been signed off by a named editor working through the review console, so nothing here is marked verified. Immigration rules change without notice and consulates apply them differently. Check the linked authority before you act on anything. This site is not legal advice.