Business Visa

Business Visas

A Long Term Business Visa is not a residence visa, but does have provision for the applicant to apply for residence after proving they have successfully established themselves in New Zealand. A Long Term Business Visa will allow you to live in New Zealand as a self-employed person for up to three years.

A principal applicant for a long-term business visa/permit must:

have a satisfactory business plan*; and
have, in addition to investment capital, sufficient funds for their maintenance and accommodation and that of any spouse or partner and or dependent children included in the application; and
meet Health and Character requirements policy; and
satisfy the business immigration specialist that they are genuinely interested in establishing a business in New Zealand.

* In order to assess a business plan, the business immigration specialist (employed by NZIS) must first be satisfied that the principal applicant:

has access to sufficient capital to finance the proposed business, and
has provided realistic financial forecasts, and
has relevant business experience, and
has not been involved in bankruptcy or business failure within the last 5 years, and
has not been involved in business fraud or financial impropriety, and
has obtained professional or occupational registration in New Zealand if registration is required for operating the proposed business, and
has provided sufficient supporting documentation.

People from many countries do not need a visa to visit New Zealand. If, however you are planning to come to New Zealand to establish a business it is strongly advised that you apply for a Long Term Business Visa before you arrive. This will make processing of a Residence Visa much easier if you decide you would like to live here permenantly.

The NZIS will initially issue a Work Permit/Visa for a period of nine (9) months. This allows you time to establish your business. Before the permit/visa expires you can apply for another Work Permit/Visa to allow you to stay for a total period of three years. At any time during this three years you are able to apply for Permenant Residence based on the business you have established.