Entrepreneur Visa New Zealand

120 points on the Immigration New Zealand points scale are required for an entrepreneur visa application.
Points are awarded based on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to:
• Age
• Business experience
• Capital investment
• Business location
• Benefit of the business to New Zealand.
An immigration officer will assess your application to confirm the points you can claim, however, if you would like an indication of the number of points you may be eligible for, click here. (link to points scale indicator on immigration new zealand site)

You need to prepare documents and evidence to ensure that you meet the criteria for an entrepreneur visa.

You will need to prepare documents to prove your identity, that you’re in good health and of good character. You will also need to prove that you can speak English, you can meet the minimum capital investment requirements or request a waiver of this requirement, if applicable, and a detailed business plan.

Working with an immigration specialist is ideal in this scenario as depending on the type of business you’re starting, you may have additional requirements.

If you want Immigration New Zealand to consider a lower investment capital amount (less than $100,000), you will need to request a waiver.

Waiver requests are only likely to be considered in when a business is in the science or ICT sectors or if there is a high level of innovation, growth potential or export potential.

Innovation is considered at a high level if the business aims to at least NZD $500,000 annual exports or will generate 5 or more jobs for people in New Zealand.

Your business plan should include a wide range of details, including but not limited to:

• Industry of the business
• Location of the business
• If the business is a start up or you’re purchasing an existing business
• Financial predictions
• Proof funds to support the business, yourself and any family members that will be in New Zealand with you
• Business experience
• Any past business failure or business fraud information
• Documents and evidence that supports any points you’re attempting to claim on the Immigration New Zealand points scale
• Benefits your business will bring to New Zealand
• The business plan must also be current.

To apply for the Entrepreneur Work Visa costs start at NZD $3920 and to apply for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, costs begin at NZD $6860. These are the costs for lodging the application and do not include the costs for other services or resources you may use during your application, like legal advice.

The amount of time you can stay in New Zealand on an Entrepreneur Visa depends on the type of Entrepreneur visa that you have.

If you have the New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa, you can stay for a maximum 3 years. The first 12 months is referred to as the “Start up stage” and is the time you have to set up the business. If you have started your business in that time frame, you can stay for another 2 years.

If you have the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, you will be able to stay in New Zealand indefinitely.

Yes. With both the Entrepreneur Resident and Entrepreneur Work Visas, you can travel in and out of New Zealand as many times as you like before your visa expires.