The objective of the business migration policy is to attract migrants who will contribute to the economic growth in New Zealand through:

• increasing New Zealand's level of human capital; and
• encouraging enterprise and innovation; and
• fostering external links.

There are currently four business categories available:

Investor Category

The Investor Category relates to you if you have accumulated significant assets off-shore, can demonstrate that those assets have been legitimately accumulated either by virtue of your own tax paid business endeavours or, in the case of gifted funds, the person gifting the funds did so. You must be prepared to bring those assets to New Zealand and invest that for at least 2 years. The process involves a significant level of documentation disclosures.

The Investor Category is points based system. This means you score points based on a number of factors such as age, business experience and investment funds. Your application will only be successful if you score sufficient points to meet the pass mark. The minimum investment level is NZ$ 1,000,000. The minimum age is 25 and the maximum age 84 years.

This is a complex Category requiring substantial paperwork to ensure the evidential and disclosure requirements are met. Good advice will ensure you are not forced to move any more money than is necessary.

Long Term Business Category

The Long Term Business Visa/Permit is a special category of work visa/permit and is not a residence category. You may apply under this category if you are a potential migrant interested in establishing a business in New Zealand and interested in applying for residence under the Entrepreneur Category. You will be granted a work visa or permit for up to three years if your application is successful.

In order to do this you must have a good business plan (our business consultants can help you maximise your chances of success), relevant business experience, sufficient capital to set up this business and to look after yourself and any dependents included in your application, and you must meet health and character requirements. You may also apply under this category if you are interested in establishing a business in New Zealand but do not wish to live permanently in New Zealand.

To apply under the Long Term Business Visa/Permit category, you must:

• have a satisfactory business plan; and
• have in addition to investment capital, sufficient funds for your maintenance and accommodation and that of any non-principal applicants; and
• satisfy the business immigration specialist that you are genuinely interested in establishing a business in New Zealand.
• In addition, you and any family included in your application must meet health and character requirements.

The business plan is a proposal for either the creation of a new company in New Zealand or for the purchase of part or all of an existing business. This plan must include the following information and be supported by appropriate documentation:

• an outline of your proposed business and its viability; and
• financial information (forecasts and financing options); and
• your business experience (including English language ability); and
• your knowledge of the New Zealand market.

The plans are required to be in a specific format and there are specific requirements that make these plans different to standard business plan formats.

Applicants must show a business background and that they have both funds to purchase or set up the business and funds to maintain and accommodate themselves until the business provides for them.

After a minimum of two years of involvement an application for residence as an Entrepreneur can be made providing there is sufficient evidence to show the applicant has successfully started a business or added value to an existing business.

Entrepreneur Category

To qualify under the Entrepreneur Category, you must have successfully established a business in New Zealand for a period of at least two years. In addition, you and any family included in your application must meet health, character and English language requirements.

You are considered to have successfully established a business in New Zealand if you:

• have established or purchased, or made a substantial investment in a business operating in New Zealand; and
• have been self-employed in New Zealand in that business for at least two years.
• A substantial investment in a business is defined as ownership of at least 25% of a business.

You are considered to be self-employed if you have a lawful active involvement in the management and operation of a business in New Zealand which you have established or purchased, or in which you have made a substantial investment. Your business may be deemed as benefiting New Zealand if it promotes New Zealand's economic growth through:

• introduction of new technology, management or technical skills; or
• introduction of new products or services; or
• development of new export markets or increased market access; or
• creation of new job opportunities; or
• revitalisation of an existing business.

Employees or Relocating Business

You may apply under the Employees of Relocating Businesses category if you are a key employee of a business relocating to New Zealand. This category is set up to assist the promotion of New Zealand as a place in which to invest and locate business by facilitating the granting of residence to employees of businesses relocating to New Zealand.

If you are an employee of a relocating business and do not qualify under any other residence categories, you may be granted residence under the Employees of Relocating Businesses category on a case by case basis.

To qualify for consideration under this category you must be a key employee of the relocating business. In addition, you and any family included in your application must meet health, character and English language requirements.

A relocating business is a business that proposes to operate in New Zealand. A key employee is an employee of the business whom the chief executive officer (CEO) of the relocating business reasonably considers will be essential to the operation of the relocated business in New Zealand.


Contact info@activemigration.com for details.