Business migration can be a preferred choice for people wishing to buy or start a business or business people seeking to invest in New Zealand.
Working for oneself, a goal for so many people, can be one of the most rewarding ways of earning a living. The prospect of starting a new life overseas also motivates many migrants to consider this highly lucrative option. If you too are considering starting or buying a business in New Zealand, we can advise on the options available to you and help in several key ways.
Who can apply:
Business people intending to establish a business in New Zealand.
What it entitles you to:
A 3-year work visa initially followed by permanent residency.
Terms & conditions:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have at least five years' successful business experience relevant to their proposal; that they have adequate assets to finance the new venture and to support themselves whilst the business is being established; they must also demonstrate that they have carefully researched the market and must submit a detailed business plan.
Further information:
The proposal must be shown to offer benefit to New Zealand. Once the business has been successfully established, permanent residence may be applied for. There is no age limit for applicants for this visa. Business migration requires detailed research and highly specialised advice with a detailed business plan. We can provide a comprehensive service in this area, having helped many business migrants successfully establish businesses in New Zealand. The rules relating to business visas change often and so it is vital that you first receive up to the minute advice on the correct category or sub category under which to apply.
The Migrant Investment Visa policy replaces the previous Active Investor Migrant Visa policy. The aim is to attract people who wish to make a significant financial contribution to the New Zealand economy in return to gaining permanent residence.
The Migrant Investment Policy has two categories: Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) and Investor (Investor 2 Category).
Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category)
Investor (Investor 2 Category)
| Maximum age: | No requirement | 65 or younger | ||
| Business experience: | No requirement | Minimum of three years | ||
| Investment funds: | NZ$10 million invested in NZ for three years | NZ$1.5 million invested in NZ for four years | ||
| Settlement funds: | No requirement | NZ$1 million (transfer not required) | ||
| Principal applicant's English language: | No requirement |
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| Family member's English language: | No requirement | Same as principal applicant or pre-purchase ESOL tuition | ||
| Minimum time in New Zealand: | 73 days in NZ in each of the last two years of the three-year investment period | 146 days in NZ in each of the last three years of the four-year investment period | ||
| Health and character: | Applicants must meet health and character requirements. | Applicants must meet health and character requirements. |
In addition to these key requirements there are a number of investment funds and asset requirements, as well as requirements that you will have to continue to meet as part of the Migrant Investor Visa.
Whether the LTBV business visa or one of the Investor categories is your preferred route, we have our own in house specialists who are highly experienced in preparing both your business plan (for LTBV only) and your visa application (required for both LTBV and Investor categories). They can explain what options are available, depending on the level of business experience you have. Call 0845 230 4390 for an initial free discussion with our consultants.
