About the entrepreneurship program in New Zealand
Entrepreneurs interested in establishing their own business in New Zealand can apply for the Entrepreneur Work Visa program, which requires a minimum investment of 100,000 NZD and a business plan, with points allocated through a points system.
The points system measures the likelihood of the business’s success in New Zealand and its benefit to the country’s economy. If the application is approved, applicants are initially granted a one-year visa, followed by two additional years to manage their businesses before applying for residency.
This work visa is organized into two stages over three years:
- Stage one
If your application is approved, you will initially be granted a 12-month work visa, allowing you to purchase or establish your business in New Zealand.
- Stage two
Once you demonstrate that you have taken steps to establish your business, you will be granted the remaining 24 months of your visa.
New Zealand entrepreneur program requirements
Requirements for the Entrepreneurship Program in New Zealand include:
- The minimum investment is 100,000 NZD.
- 120 points or more based on the points system assessing the likelihood of business success and its benefit to New Zealand’s economy.
- A clear business plan.
- A clean record regarding commercial bankruptcy, failure, and fraud.
- The primary applicant must meet health and English language requirements.
This program provides permanent residency in New Zealand if you have established innovative and high-quality businesses with export potential. There are two ways to qualify for residency:
- Entrepreneur residence category (2 years)
Requires successful establishment or involvement in a business in New Zealand, operating for at least two years, with a significant benefit to New Zealand.
- Entrepreneur residence category (6 months)
Offers a faster path to residency if you have invested at least 500,000 NZD in your business and provided at least three full-time jobs for citizens or residents of New Zealand.
Under both options, health, English language, and other requirements must be met.
Family of the applicant
The spouse/partner and dependent children aged 19 years and under can be added to work and residence visa in New Zealand, and they can also apply for residency.
At Reach Immigration, we do not offer the option of immigrating to New Zealand, but we provide other citizenship or residency programs by investment, which you can learn about by booking a free consultation by clicking on the link here.
