New Zealand Simplifies Rules for Visitor and Investment Visas

New Zealand’s immigration policy is changing again. The country’s new government aims to attract wealthy foreigners and stimulate the economy. As part of this effort, new rules for digital nomads and investors have been introduced.

Digital Nomads and Tourists

The New Zealand government is relaxing requirements for tourist visas. Foreign visitors will now be allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days and work remotely. The visa can be extended for up to nine months, making it easier for digital nomads to visit the country while boosting tourism and economic activity.

"This change is part of the government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by accelerating economic growth," said Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis. Tourism is New Zealand’s second-largest source of revenue, generating nearly $11 billion and creating almost 200,000 jobs. By making the country more attractive to digital nomads—people who work remotely while traveling—New Zealand hopes to increase its global appeal.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that updating the tourist visa rules reflects modern remote work trends.

"We want people to see New Zealand as the perfect place to visit and work," she stated. "From today, tourist visas will allow people to work remotely for a foreign employer while vacationing here. Those planning to work remotely for more than 90 days should check for any tax implications. This change will enable many visitors to extend their stay, leading to higher spending in the country."

She also stressed that the government aims to maintain a more efficient, predictable immigration system to support economic growth, improve living standards, and create opportunities for New Zealand residents.

Tourism Minister Louise Upston noted that digital nomad visas are becoming increasingly popular worldwide as work styles become more flexible and digital. Many countries already offer special visas for digital nomads, and the list continues to grow.

"We need to keep up with global trends so that New Zealand remains an attractive destination for those who want to ‘work while on holiday’ abroad," she explained. "Compared to other tourists, international remote workers tend to stay in New Zealand longer and spend more money, even during the off-season."

These visa changes apply to all visitor visas, including those for tourists, people visiting family members, partners, and guardians of long-term visa holders. However, only remote work for overseas employers is allowed. Foreigners whose jobs require them to be physically present in New Zealand—such as sales representatives, performing artists, or employees of New Zealand-based companies—must still apply for work visas.

Foreign Investors

The New Zealand government believes that foreign investments can create jobs, increase national income, and support business growth. To encourage migrant investors, the government has decided to simplify the investment visa process.

Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis acknowledges that previous changes to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa discouraged many potential applicants from moving to New Zealand.

Since 2022, AIP migrants have invested only NZ$70 million ($43 million).
In comparison, in the two years before the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant investors contributed NZ$2.2 billion ($1.36 billion).
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford noted that capital is highly mobile, and in an increasingly complex world, investors are looking for safe and stable countries to do business. To make investment visas simpler and more flexible, starting from April 1, 2025, the current complicated points-based AIP system will be replaced by two new investment categories:

“Growth” – Focused on higher-risk investments, such as direct investments in New Zealand companies.
Minimum investment: $5 million
Minimum investment period: 3 years
“Balanced” – Allows mixed investment strategies, including lower-risk options.
Minimum investment: $10 million
Minimum investment period: 5 years
Other key changes include:

Expanding the list of eligible investments.
Removing unnecessary barriers, such as English language requirements.

Real Estate Purchases by Foreigners

New Zealand has also partially lifted its ban on foreign property purchases. While the relaxation is limited, it represents a significant policy shift.

Foreigners can now buy a limited number of properties in Omarino, a region 225 km north of Auckland. These properties are exempt from national restrictions because entrepreneur Craig Heatley previously obtained special approval for foreign transactions. Prices start at NZ$7 million ($4.3 million).

However, foreign buyers will likely need to become tax residents of New Zealand, which requires:

Spending at least 183 days in the country within any 12-month period.
Paying income tax on worldwide earnings, even on income not brought into New Zealand.
Exceptions apply to Australian and Singaporean citizens under existing trade agreements.
Challenges with Investment Visas

New Zealand’s investment visa program has been controversial due to past misuse.

One notable case involved PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, who obtained New Zealand citizenship after living in the country for only 12 days over five years. In 2018, then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern responded by banning most foreign property purchases.

In July 2022, the government scrapped the old investment visa program, which had been especially popular among Chinese investors.
The new program, launched on September 19, 2022, excluded traditional options like bonds and real estate, historically popular with foreign investors.
This shift drastically reduced applications:

Under the old system, 492 applications were submitted in 2021.
By spring 2023, only 14 applications had been received.
The first 10 applicants under the new program invested NZ$111 million ($70 million). Over two years, only 30 applications were approved, contributing NZ$336 million ($197 million).

In contrast, the old program generated an average of NZ$1 billion ($620 million) annually.

Global Trends and Policy Dilemmas

Experts note that many governments face a dilemma when designing investment visa programs:

They want to attract foreign money to boost economic growth.
But they fear rising real estate prices, which can make housing unaffordable for locals.
Many wealth visa policies are controversial and frequently revised.

New Zealand’s new investment-friendly approach aims to restore lost interest among global investors while maintaining a balance between economic benefits and housing affordability.