To qualify under the Entrepreneur Plus Category visa, start here

The qualifications for an Entrepreneur Plus visa will be assessed on several points detailed below.

To make an application, you must:

• Have successfully established a business in New Zealand
• Produce documentation to that effect from a reliable, independent agency
  • Evidence may include a certificate of incorporation, audited accounts, GST records and/or tax records
• Have invested at least NZ$0.5 million in your business
• Have been self-employed by that business in New Zealand
• Show that your business has created three new full-time positions for New Zealand citizens or residents
  • Evidence may include your employees’ New Zealand passport or birth certificate, employment agreements, IRD employee schedules and/or payslips
• Meet the minimum English language requirements
• Meet health and character requirements

FAQs

Does my business have to be the same for which I was granted my long-term business visa?

Yes, unless a business immigration specialist at the Business Migration Branch has previously given consent for you to modify your original business proposal.  Your application cannot be approved under the Entrepreneur Plus Category if your established business is different to your proposal in your business plan.

How do I prove I’ve invested NZ$0.5 million into my business?

You must provide telegraphic transfer documentation as evidence that you’ve transferred at least NZ$0.5 million through the banking system in New Zealand.

This NZ$0.5 million can be made up of purchase amount, establishment costs, and/or working capital – it can be used for different elements of setting up your business.  Proof may include your sales and purchase agreement, business banking documentation and/or business accounts.

Can I borrow my investment capital to invest in my business?

Yes. You just need to show that you own net assets equal or greater to the amount you plan to borrow and it’s borrowed from a bank or commercial lending institution.

What qualifies as employing three new full-time New Zealand citizens or residents?

You must create three new sustainable positions/jobs to meet requirements. Employing family members (unless they are a NZ citizen or resident) or rehiring of existing staff is not considered to be creating new jobs.

What about medicals?  Will I need to provide these?

Yes, you will need to provide a completed Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate (PDF, 475 KB).  This must be less than 3 months old when you submit your application.

Anything else?

You’ll need to provide police certificates from your country of citizenship, as well as any country in which you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.  Certificates must be no older than 6 months at the time of application.

To obtain more detailed information, click here.

How do I apply?

It’s straightforward.  For application forms and details of what you’ll need to provide when making your application, click here..