Key Benefits of the Entrepreneur Work Visa

If you want to run your own business in New Zealand you will have to apply for a business visa, an Entrepreneur Visa. 

 

What are the Key Benefits for applicants under the Entrepreneur Policies?

There are a number of advantages for applicants who choose to apply for an Entrepreneur Work Visa in comparison to other visa types: 

  • You can either buy an existing business or set one up from scratch
  • You can chose a business that matches your entrepreneurial background
  • Your business can be located anywhere in New Zealand
  • You will not have to find a job and overcome the Catch22 hurdle
  • Relatively low minimum investment of NZ$100.00 required 
  • Minimum investment can be waived
  • Your partner will obtain an open Work Visa that entitles him/her to work for any business in New Zealand
  • Your partner can also be self employed
  • Primary and secondary school children will be classified as domestic students, so that high international student fees can be avoided
  • No age limit
  • Relatively low English language requirements.

 

The process: Your way to residence in New Zealand will be in two steps, from a three year work visa to your residence visa.

 

Step One:  The Entrepreneur Work Visa 

To apply for an Entrepreneur Work Visa you will have to:

  • establish a business or buy a business that suits your expectations and experience
  • write a business plan which will satisfy Immigration New Zealand
  • prepare and lodge your Entrepreneur Work Visa application according to New Zealand immigration law requirements.

In short, these are the key requirements for step one, the Entrepreneur Work Visa:

  • A minimum capital investment of NZ$100,000 (unless this requirement is waived) 
  • You must meet a minimum of 120 points for factors relating to the likely success of your proposed business and its value to New Zealand
  • You must have a business plan specific to your proposed business
  • You must not have been involved in bankruptcy or business failure, business fraud or financial impropriety
  • You must meat health, character and English language requirements.

Step Two:  The Entrepreneur Residence Visa  

After you have run your business successfully for at least two years, you can apply for an Entrepreneur Residence Visa. 
There is a fast-track option: You can apply after six months, provided you have invested at least NZ $ 500,000 in your business and created at least three full-time jobs for New Zealanders (investment and employment must be maintained for two years). 

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Anna was worth her weight in gold---she was fantastic at helping me format my CV and search for jobs that suited my skill set.  In the end, I got a great job in a great city.  Carsten and his team were very thorough and helpful when it came time to apply for and get our visas. They are now helping us with our resident visas, and I'm certain that the process will be the same. I'd recommend them highly.

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