The New Zealand Long Term Business Visa/Permit is a temporary residence permit allowing an applicant to move to New Zealand as a self-employed person for up to three years. It can lead into the Entrepreneur Category which entitles an applicant to apply for permanent residency in New Zealand.

An application to start a business in New Zealand under the New Zealand Long Term Business permit category must be accompanied by a business plan.

This business plan, along with supporting documents, will be used to determine that:

• The applicant has enough funds to establish the proposed business in New Zealand and to support themselves and any dependant family members
• The applicant's financial forecasts are realistic
• The applicant has relevant business experience, including qualifications, existing businesses and shareholdings
• The applicant has not been involved with a business failure within the last five years
• The has not been involved in business fraud or wrongdoing
• The applicant has obtained occupational registration in New Zealand, where applicable to the business
• The applicant has gained an understanding of the New Zealand market place

Applications for this business visa are assessed on a case-by-case basis. New Zealand Long Term Business Visa / Permit applicants who have not owned their own business or have not had experience in a senior management position that is responsible for all aspects of business operation are unlikely to be accepted under this category.

While there is no minimum amount of capital required, business permit applications will be judged on a case-by-case basis where funds will need to be appropriate to the business.

To be eligible under the New Zealand Long Term Business Permit / Visa category an applicant will need to provide evidence that the proposed business is of benefit to New Zealand.

Promotion of New Zealand’s economic growth through the following, will deem your business as a benefit to New Zealand:

• 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

In addition to the minimum requirements above, basic standards of English language, health and character have to be met in order to lodge a successful business visa application.

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.

The business that you have established must benefit New Zealand.

In addition, you and any dependant family members 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
• been self-employed in New Zealand in that business for a minimum of two years.

You are considered to be self-employed if you have a lawful active involvement in the management and operating of a business in New Zealand that you have established or purchased, or that you have made a substantial investment in.

Promotion of New Zealand’s economic growth through the following, will deem your business as a benefit to New Zealand:

• 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

'If you are interested in using the services of Ambler Collins, please complete our online assessment form and a consultant will respond to you with details of your eligibility and our services and fees'

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