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The Entrepreneur Visas are designed for business-minded individuals looking to establish or buy a business in New Zealand. The Entrepreneur Work Visa allows you to start your business and provides a pathway to residency if your venture is successful. The Entrepreneur Resident Visa then offers the opportunity to settle permanently, based on meeting business growth and performance criteria. Discover how NZIL can help you navigate the process of establishing your business and achieving long-term residency in New Zealand.
The Entrepreneur Visas provide a pathway for business-minded individuals to buy or establish a business in New Zealand. The Entrepreneur Work Visa allows you to start and run a business, while the Entrepreneur Resident Visa provides an opportunity for permanent residency based on business performance and growth over time.
The Entrepreneur Work Visa is initially valid for up to 3 years. Once business success is demonstrated, applicants may apply for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa for permanent stay.
For the Entrepreneur Work Visa, you must have a comprehensive business plan, capital investment, and meet the points threshold. Running a successful business for 6 months or more (with high capital) or two years is necessary to qualify for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa.
While on the Entrepreneur Work Visa, you can live and operate your business in New Zealand. Your Entrepreneur Work Visa can also cover family members (your partner, and dependent children aged 19 and under), granting them the right to study, and work. Upon securing the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, you gain the right to live permanently in New Zealand. With the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, it allows you to include your partner and dependent children aged 24 and under.
The Entrepreneur Work Visa offers a pathway to residency through the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, based on meeting criteria for business success, capital investment, and time in business. This pathway allows for long-term settlement for those who successfully establish and operate their businesses in New Zealand.
Step 1:
Create a comprehensive business plan outlining your proposed venture, including its potential for growth and innovation.
Step 2:
Ensure you have the required capital to invest and meet the points threshold based on business experience, investment, and benefits to New Zealand.
Step 3:
Submit your application with the business plan and supporting documents, including proof of funds and qualifications.
Step 4:
Once approved, set up and run your business according to your plan, achieving milestones for growth and success.
Step 5:
After successfully operating the business for 6 months (with high capital) or 2 years, apply for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa for permanent residency.
Step 6:
Step 7:
Step 8:
Learn how to start your business journey in New Zealand through our informative webinar on the Entrepreneur Visas. Discover the key requirements for both the Entrepreneur Work Visa and the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, including how to develop a successful business plan, meet financial criteria, and understand the pathway to residency. This webinar will provide expert insights, tips for a smooth application process, and guidance on establishing your business in New Zealand.
Prefer to make a direct enquiry rather than attend a webinar? This option offers you personalised assistance tailored to your specific situation. By choosing a direct enquiry, you'll save time and receive expert guidance from NZIL’s team on your Entrepreneur Visa application. Whether you need help understanding your eligibility, preparing documents, or navigating the process, we’re here to provide clear, customised advice every step of the way.
Your application may not have met the immigration instructions, or INZ may have determined that you do not have sufficient capital investment, experience in the field, or knowledge of the New Zealand environment.
Demonstrate a minimum capital investment of $100,000 (unless waived), score at least 120 points, provide a specific business plan, and meet additional requirements such as sufficient funds, business experience, English language proficiency, and a clean financial and legal history.
Begin by applying for an Entrepreneur Work Visa with a detailed business plan for your proposed business. Once your work visa is approved, you may apply for residence after 6 months or 2 years, depending on the level of your investment and the creation of new jobs. Your residence visa will be assessed based on how well you have maintained your business in line with the business plan submitted during the work visa application.
$100,000 to apply for residence in 2 years. $500,000 to apply for residence in 6 months.
Active Investor Plus is a residence Visa obtained based on a substantial investment in the New Zealand economy. The entrepreneur Visa can create a pathway to residency based on operation of your own business in New Zealand.
We provide a comprehensive suite of services to ensure success over the life-cycle of your migration process including assessment of your eligibility, guidance and assistance in gathering documents, presentation of your case and advocacy on your behalf to ensure a successful outcome. For clients on a pathway that requires a period of work experience or business operation we provide post application support to ensure you remain on track for residency.
This will depend upon the work flows through Immigration New Zealand. But in general we advise people to be prepared for 12 months. This aspect we discuss in more detail in our pathway consultations once with established what path leads you to residency.
Yes you can include your partner and your dependent children.
Yes there is. Active Investor Category is a direct route to residence. The Entrepreneur visa creates a pathway to residence through operation of your own business in New Zealand.
