Business Visa New Zealand

Business Migration

If you want to acquire or have possession of a business, an experienced entrepreneur and desire to be self-employed in your own business and contribute to NZ economy, than there is an option for you with us through NZ Migration under Business Migration.

Experienced business people wishing to purchase or establish a business in New Zealand can apply for a work visa under the Long Term Business Visa Category and then apply for residence.

Entrepreneur/ Entrepreneur Plus policies:

The Objective of the Entrepreneur Category is to attract migrants who can demonstrate that they have been actively participating in business and contributing to New Zealand's economic development.

There are various categories of these policies and options are:

1. Temporary Class category

2. Residence class categories: The following business immigration categories are part of residence instructions:

  • Entrepreneur Category
  • Entrepreneur  plus Category
  • Employees of Relocating Businesses Category
  • Migrant Investment Categories
  • Investor 1 Category
  • Investor 2 Category

A work visa under the Long Term Business Category will entitle you to move to New Zealand, buy or establish your own business. This would be the first step on your pathway to applying for residence in New Zealand under one of the Entrepreneur categories.

Once your Long Term Business application is approved, you will initially be given a nine-month work visa, enabling you to buy or establish your business in New Zealand. Within that nine months, or as soon as you have taken steps to establish your business, you can apply for a further work visa for the balance of three years.

Long Term Business Visa

This category is suitable for business people who are interested in establishing a business in New Zealand and would be self employed in their own business. Self-employment is lawful active involvement in the management and operation of a business in New Zealand, which the applicant has established or purchased, or in which he or she has made a substantial investment.

Following are the requirements of Applicants:

  • have  a business plan that meets the requirements for their business proposal
  • have, in addition to investment capital, sufficient funds for their maintenance and that of their families
  • meet Health and Character requirements
  • have  relevant business experience
  • have not been involved in bankruptcy
  • meet the minimum standard of English
  • Express that they are genuinely interested in establishing the business in New Zealand. 
  • have not been involved in business fraud
  • if registration is required for operating the proposed business they must have obtained professional or occupational registration in New Zealand

If you meet all requirements, a multiple entry work visas and permits will be granted. Once your Long Term Business application is approved, you will initially be given a nine-month work visa, enabling you to acquire or establish your business in New Zealand. Within that period, or as soon as you have taken steps to establish your business, you can apply for a further work visa for the balance of three years. During the duration of the Long Term Business Permit you will establish the business in accordance with the business plan and follow up with a residence application under the Entrepreneur Category, which will ultimately result in a Residence Visa.

Entrepreneur Category

Applicants in the Entrepreneur Category are required to demonstrate that they have successfully established a business in New Zealand while holding a permit granted.

If you have successfully established or purchased a business in New Zealand, you have been 'self-employed' in that business for at least two years, and your business has benefited New Zealand significantly, you may be eligible for residence in New Zealand under the Entrepreneur Category.

Usually, the first step towards becoming a New Zealand resident under this category is a long-term business visa, which will enable you to work in your business.

Entrepreneur Plus Category

The Entrepreneur Plus Category provides a faster track to residence because you are not required to operate a business for a minimum period of time before applying. As well as meeting general health and character requirements, to gain residence under this category, you must:

  • hold a long-term business visa
  • have successfully established or purchased a business in New Zealand
  • have been 'self-employed' in that business
  • have invested at least NZ$0.5 million in the business, and
  • have created a minimum of three new full-time jobs for New Zealand citizens or residents.

Additional requirements are:

Your application can include your partner and any dependent children travelling with you. All the family members must have to fulfill all the basic requirements related to their Health and Character Requirements. If you are a key employee of a business that wants to relocate its operations to New Zealand, you may be eligible to apply for residence under our Employees of Relocating Businesses Category.

Your application for residence must first meet requirements for approval in principle, and you will be invited to apply for a temporary work visa that allows you to come to New Zealand to make the relocation arrangements.

Then, when you can show us your business has relocated and meets our trading requirements, residence can be granted, subject to conditions. These conditions are that you work for the relocated business for two years, and the business meets all relevant employment and immigration laws in that two years.

If your application is successful they will need to apply for either a visitor or student visa. For more information in this category please consult our Visa Valley Immigration counselors.

Investment Category

There are two categories: Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) and Investor (Investor 2 Category).

Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category):

A basic requirement in Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) there is no need of business experience and minimum of NZ$ 10 million is required for investment in NZ for 3 years. No need of any settlement funds and English language. Minimum time in NZ is required in each of last 2years period. They must have to fulfill all the basic requirements related to their Health and Character Requirements.

Investor (Investor 2 Category):

Basic requirements in Investor (Investor 2 Category) there is minimum of 3 years of business experience is required and minimum of NZ$ 1.5 million is required for investment in NZ for 4 years. NZ$ 1.0 million settlement funds are required. IELTS/ English language ability is also required; Applicant and his/her family member must be a competent user of English. Minimum time in NZ is required in each of last 3years period. They also must have to fulfill all the basic requirements related to their Health and Character Requirements.

For more information in this category please consult our Visa Valley Immigration counselors.

For Assessment:

To check which option is best suited for you, kindly send the following to evisavalley@gmail.com for appropriate advice.

  • Your updated Resume/CV.
  • Provide your partner updated Resume/CV as well.
  • If applicable, please provide information on children and their age.
  • Also mention you and your spouse IELTS/PTE/ French/ TOEFL score.
  • Information on any immediate family member (blood relations) residing in any foreign country.

*For more details please contact our Visa Valley counselors.