The Government’s new business migration scheme launched on 28th July 2009 aims to boost economic performance by making New Zealand more attractive for business and entrepreneurial migrants. Attracting the right business migrants has been identified as a high priority initiative but would require a fresh approach will ensure we bring more investors, connect them with existing business networks, and create real jobs for New Zealanders. These changes represent a very positive step in the right direction.

For entrepreneurial migrants there are now two categories of visa. The existing Entrepreneur category is to be complemented by the Entrepreneur Plus category

The new Entrepreneur Policy will be implemented from November 2009.

Entrepreneur Current

Applicants who have successfully established business in New Zealand can apply for permanent residence, along with their partner and dependent children, under this policy category. It is important to note that under residence policy dependents aged up to 25 years at the time of application lodgement can be included in the residence application provided they are financially dependent on their family. This is a variance from LTBV policy.

For an Entrepreneur residence application to be successful an applicant must:

• Satisfy the English Language standard (IELTS 4.0)
• Have maintained at least a 25% ownership of a business in New Zealand for 2 years
• Have been actively and legally (ie; be on a LTBV or open work visa) involved in the day to day operation and management of the business in New Zealand for 2 years
• Provide evidence that the business is benefiting New Zealand. It should be appreciated that this assessment is made pursuant to INZ policies and advice from PathwaysNZ should be sought on how this requirement is best satisfied for individual businesses
• Demonstrate that the business is profitable or has the ability to be profitable in the following 12 months

Your business must be benefiting New Zealand's economic growth by:

• Introducing new or enhancing existing technology, management or technical skills;
• Introducing new or enhancing existing products, services or export markets;
• Creating new or expanding existing export markets;
• Creating new job opportunities; or Revitalising an existing business.

Nearly all successful LTBV applicants later proceed to apply for residence under the Entrepreneur policy. There is no age limit for applicants under this policy.

Entrepreneur Plus

Entrepreneur Plus offers a faster path to residence for applicants who create at least 3 fulltime jobs and invest $500,000 in their business. There will be a new definition for ‘creating employment’ to ensure that migrants who claim to create employment are not just creating jobs for family members. The new Entrepreneur Plus category provides a faster path to residence for higher value entrepreneurs who can create more jobs.

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This page was last updated on 25 September 2009