New Zealand Business Immigration
New Zealand was ranked:
- Second in the world for ease of doing business (World Bank, ‘Doing Business’ 2016)
- Fourth for attractiveness to foreign investors (Milkin Institute ‘Global Opportunity Index’ 2015)
New Zealand boasts comparatively low developed-country business costs. Its labour costs are extremely competitive for a first-world country with a highly skilled and educated workforce. New Zealand Business Immigration
Entrepreneur Work Visa Category
If you are an experienced business person and you want to be self-employed in your own business in New Zealand, applying for a work visa under the Entrepreneur Work Visa Category may be an option for you.
An Entrepreneur Work Visa will enable you to move to New Zealand and buy or establish your own business. It could be the first step on your pathway to applying for residence in New Zealand under the Entrepreneur Residence Category.
How does this visa work?
An Entrepreneur Work Visa is a three year work visa in two stages: a Start-up stage and a Balance stage.
Start-up stage
Balance stage
Examples of steps are
Actions taken to establish your business, as shown by:
- Documents showing setting up the business (e.g. certificate of incorporation)
- Property purchase or lease documents for the business site
- Invoices for business equipment and supplies
- Other documents such as employment agreements, bank statements, utility company invoices
What are the main requirements?
- Documents evidencing the constitution of the business (e.g. certificate of incorporation)
- Property purchase or lease documents relating to the business site
- Invoices for business equipment and supplies
- In order to be approved for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, you must:
- Make a minimum capital investment of NZ $ 100,000, unless this requirement is waived
- Meet or exceed 120 points on a scale which awards points for factors relating to the likely success of the proposed business and its value to New Zealand
- Have a business plan specific to your proposed business
- Not been involved in bankruptcy or business failure within 5 years preceding the date your application is made
- Not have been involved in business fraud or financial impropriety, and
- Meet health and character requirements for residence and English language requirements.
