To have your application approved under the Long Term Business Category,
there are a number of requirements you need to meet, and everyone included in
your application will have to meet our health, character, and English language
requirements.
Your business
You will need to submit a sound business plan, and show relevant knowledge
about the New Zealand business environment, and how your intended
business venture will benefit New Zealand, as well as providing evidence
about your relevant business experience.
Funds
You will also need to have enough funds (apart from the funds you plan to invest
in your business) to support yourself and (if applicable) your partner and children
for the duration of your long term business visa.
If you would prefer not to work full-time in your business, you might like to find
out about our categories for investors.
I’m already here as a Visitor
Here you’ll find some answers to questions you may have while you’re visiting
New Zealand. If you have other specific questions, you can always contact
us directly.
Maybe your circumstances or plans have changed? Maybe you’re enjoying the
New Zealand experience so much you want to stay? View our questions and
answers to find out how your stay as a visitor is affected.
Maybe you’d like to live in New Zealand permanently and want to know the
options for becoming a resident.
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/invest/entrepreneur/default.htm
Pathway to residence for entrepreneurs
Pathways to residence are available for migrants who can demonstrate they
have been actively participating in their business and contributing to New
Zealand’s economic development. There are two categories:
• Entrepreneur Category
• Entrepreneur Plus Category.
Entrepreneur Category
If you have successfully established a business in New Zealand, and you have
been 'self-employed' in that business for at least two years, and your business
has benefited New Zealand, you may be eligible for residence in New Zealand
under the Entrepreneur Category.
The first step towards becoming a New Zealand resident under this category is
usually to obtain a long term business visa in order to be able to work in your
business.
For both categories you will need to show that your business complies with New
Zealand employment and immigration law. Some requirements are different
(mainly for English language and benefit to New Zealand) if you:
Requirements
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.
• See our processing times to find out how long we'll take to deal with your
application.
• Contact details.
• Opening hours.
• We've put together a useful links page for general information on starting
a business or investing in New Zealand.
For information on the different business immigration categories see our invest
pages.
Employer accreditation
We aim to process all applications to do with this category (Accreditation,
Renewal of Accreditation and Residence applications) within the following
timeframes:
Our branches
All of our onshore and offshore branches have their own webpages which
contain both branch-related and region-specific information.
Compliance
Auckland Business Migration Christchurch
Operations
Immigration Profiling
Contact Centre Dunedin Hamilton
Group
Pacific Division
Onshore Border Palmerston North Queenstown
(Auckland)
Residence applications for the Otago and Southland region are processed by our
Christchurch branch.
How long can I stay?
The maximum stay under a visitor visa is nine months. Visa-free visitors are
initially granted a three month visitor visa (or six if you are from the United
Kingdom), you will need to apply for a further visitor visa if you wish to stay
longer in New Zealand.
If you decide while you are in New Zealand you wish to stay longer, you
should contact us.
In general, visitors to New Zealand who do not intend to work may apply for visitor
visa/permits of up to 9 months (in any 18-month period) and might be allowed to
stay for a total of 12 months.
Citizens of some countries do not need to apply for a visitor visa, if they are planning
to visit New Zealand for up to 3 months only.
New Zealand Visa Requirements ** Hot Deals
• An endorsement you get in your passport to allow you to travel to New Zealand Guided Wal
for the purpose of visiting; or
• An endorsement you get in your passport if you are already in New Zealand
and wish to travel overseas and then return back to New Zealand for the
purpose of visiting.
The Visitor's Visa shows you have permission to travel to New Zealand and
may be granted a Visitor's Permit when you arrive. The visa may be for a
single (for one journey) or multiple (for more than one journey) entry.
• hold a valid ticket to a country you have the right of entry to; and
• have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay; and
• hold a passport valid for 3 months beyond the date you are leaving New
Zealand; and
only wish to visit New Zealand for the time granted on arrival. This is usually 3
months or 6 months if you are a British Passport Holder. (if you wish to visit for
a longer period you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa).
• visit as a tourist;
• visit friends and family;
• study (one course of no more than three months duration);
• play sport (in a tournament of no more than three months duration);
• make a business trip (of no more than three months duration);
• undertake medical treatment.
• You are outside New Zealand and need a Visa to travel to New Zealand.
• You need to re-enter New Zealand.
• You are a citizen from a Visa Free country but wish to stay longer than
the set time granted on arrival.
If you do not belong to one of these special categories and you receive
medical treatment during your stay, you will be liable to pay the full costs
of that treatment.
We strongly recommend that you have medical insurance for the duration
of your visit.
How Long Can I Stay In New Zealand?
Visitors to New Zealand may stay a total of nine months in an 18
month period.
If you stay in New Zealand for a total of nine months in the last 18
months, you will be required to remain out of New Zealand for nine
months before returning as a visitor.
You may, however, qualify for a further three month extension to your
visitor permit after spending the maximum of nine months in New Zealand
if:
• You have financially supported yourself and you have not been sponsored.
• You have lodged a first-time application for residence that has been accepted
for consideration, and a decision is unlikely during the currency of your existing
permit.
• You cannot leave New Zealand because of circumstances beyond your control.
If you stay a total of 12 months in the last 24 months, you will be required
to remain out of New Zealand for 12 months before you can return as a
visitor.
Could I Be Refused A Visa Or Permit?