New Zealand is among the most lucrative destinations for establishing a business or investing in an existing one, an amalgamation of excellent working environment, comprehensive policy framework, high growth opportunities and diversified market place.

Immigration New Zealand offers mainly three types of visas that are offered by under the business visa category. These are:-

• Entrepreneur Work Visa
• Employees of Relocating Businesses
• Investor Visa

Entrepreneur Work Visa

Under Entrepreneur Work Visa, applicants may run their own business in New Zealand. Entrepreneur Residence Visa can also be applied by the applicants of this category once they have successfully run their businesses for a minimum of two years (or 6 months in case they meet the extra conditions). Individuals already on a Long Term Business Visa (LTBV) can apply for permanent residency in New Zealand under the Entrepreneur Residence Category, on the other hand.

The basic requirements under this category are as follows:

• A minimum capital investment of NZ$ 200,000 (apart from the working capital)
• Clean recent history of bankruptcy, fraud and business failure
• A clear business plan with satisfactory evidence demonstrating sure-shot success of the business venture in New Zealand
• Score 120 points or more on the point scale, with points awarded for factors about the likely success of the venture and its contribution to the economy of New Zealand.
• A certificate (no more than two years old at the time of filing the application) from IELTS showcasing an overall band score of a minimum of 4 in the IELTS Academic and General Module, or furnish evidence of an English speaking background
• Character certificate and medical reports

How the Entrepreneur Visa Works

An Entrepreneur Work Visa is a three year work visa that includes two stages

• Balance stage
• Start-up stage

The start-up stage:

You will be given a 12 month work visa initially, under an Entrepreneur Work Visa. This would enable you to buy or establish your business in New Zealand.

The balance stage:

Applicant will receive approval for the remaining 24 months of your Entrepreneur Work Visa, once you show the business migration branch that you have taken the appropriate steps to establish a business in New Zealand.

Examples of steps that can be shown to the business migration branch for this purpose include:

• Transferring a capital for investment through the banking system
• Actions that you have taken to establish your business:
• Documents for property purchase or taking a lease for the business’ site
• Invoices for equipment and supplies for your business
• Documents that show the setting up of your business
• Agreements of employment, bank statements, utility company invoices, etc.

The eligibility for an Entrepreneur Work Visa to New Zealand, you have to score a minimum of 120 points, as mentioned.

New Zealand is one of the most attractive for the investment, in the world with stable democratic government, a fair legal system, a broad based low tax regime, and free trade with Australia.

Immigration Programs: Long Term Business Visa & Permit is being granted to applicants under New Zealand immigration, which then gets converted to permanent residency after meeting the business evaluation criteria. The following procedure for grant of Long Term Business Visa & Permit for New Zealand is required to be adopted, with effect from November 20, 2002:

It’s mandatory to pass the IELTS examination by obtaining average of 5 bands, if the applicant is not able to prove that he had studied and carried on business in English knowing environment.

Long Term Business Visa

• He must have owned or managed a business for more than three years in the home country.
• IELTS examination by obtaining average of 5 bands before the application can be filed for the visa.
• A realistic business plan demonstrating an understanding of business environment of New Zealand is required to be prepared and for the success of that plan business experience relevant to that type of business is required to be shown in home country.
• In New Zealand Immigration Department, initially the visa is granted for 9 months and the person is required to transfer the funds for making capital investment mentioned in the project report within that period and further take steps to establish a business in accordance with the plans submitted. The applicant can seek extension of the visa for the remaining period of two years and three months of the total duration of Long Term Business Visa & Permit, after the funds had been transferred and steps had been taken to establish a business in New Zealand. After the expiry of the first term of 3 year, another extension for 3 years can be applied.
• After an expiry of two years, an applicant will be eligible for permanent residency.

Investor

People who have a minimum of NZ$1 million to invest in New Zealand fall under Investor category, but they may not wish to actively run a business there. This category operates on a points system, with points awarded for age, business experience and investment funds. The current passing marks are 12 points, minimum of two years.

If applicant has established or purchased, or made a substantial investment and thereby is owning at least 25% of that business Is lawfully active in the management & operation of that business for at least two years, an applicant will be considered to have successfully established a business in New Zealand.