The Global Impact Visas are designed for global entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators seeking to make a meaningful impact in New Zealand. Partnered with the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, these visas supports individuals who are committed to creating positive social, environmental, or economic change. The pathway begins with the Global Impact Work Visa, leading to potential permanent residency through the Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa, providing an opportunity to grow and settle in New Zealand while making a global difference.
The Global Impact Visas are for pioneering entrepreneurs and investors who want to make a significant social, economic, or environmental global impact, from New Zealand.
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The Global Impact Work Visa allows you to live, work, and contribute to the country, while the Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa offers a pathway to permanent residency for those who meet specific impact and investment criteria.
The Global Impact Work Visa is valid for up to 36 months. After successfully making an impact in New Zealand through your work and contributions, you may apply for the Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa, as long as you’ve held your Global Impact Work Visa for at least 30 months.
To be eligible for the Global Impact Work Visa, you must be accepted into the Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF). The application process considers your entrepreneurial skills, commitment to positive change, and potential contributions to New Zealand’s innovation landscape.
Holders of the Global Impact Work Visa can work (either as an employee in any role or as a self-employed person) in New Zealand while making contributions to the country’s social, economic, or environmental growth. Family members cannot be included in your work visa application, but they can apply for visas based on their relationship to you. With the Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa, you’re able to live, work and study in New Zealand and travel to and from New Zealand any time you like. You are able to include your partner and dependent children aged under 24 in your residence visa application.
The Global Impact Work Visa is the first step towards residency through the Global Impact Permanent Residence Visa. After successfully demonstrating a positive impact on New Zealand and meeting the fellowship and visa requirements, you may be eligible for permanent residency, offering a stable pathway for you and your family to settle in New Zealand long-term.
Step 1:
Submit an application to join the EHF, detailing your entrepreneurial skills and how you plan to create positive global change from New Zealand.
Step 2:
If approved, you will receive an invitation to join the fellowship, which is necessary for the visa process.
Step 3:
Submit your visa application, including your EHF acceptance and supporting documentation.
Step 4:
Begin working on your project, contributing to New Zealand’s innovation and social impact to create, support, and incubate ventures and models that result in positive global impact.
Step 5:
After meeting the required  visa conditions criteria and being part of the fellowship, apply for permanent residency.
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Discover how to apply for the Global Impact Visas in our informative webinar. Learn about the process of joining the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, meeting the visa requirements, and understanding the pathway to permanent residency. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or changemaker aiming to make a positive global impact from New Zealand, this webinar provides the insights and guidance you need to start your journey and secure your visa.
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 Global Impact 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.
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.
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.
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.
