An Entrepreneur Work Visa is suitable for individuals who want to move to New Zealand to set up or buy their own business. To be successful, applicants must have at least NZD $100,000 to invest, a viable business plan, and be able to meet the minimum points total to qualify for this visa.
This visa may be an appropriate alternative option to those who would have previously been eligible to apply for the Global Impact Work Visa prior to the closing of applications for the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.
Individuals who have already established a business or been working as self-employed in New Zealand may instead be eligible for an Entrepreneur Resident Visa.
In order to qualify for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, you must:
- demonstrate that you intend to invest at least NZD $100,000 of capital in a business in New Zealand
- exemptions to the NZD $100,000 requirement may be considered if, for example, the business is in an innovative or high-value export sector
- provide a viable business plan no more than three months old, with up-to-date financial information if your intention is to invest in an existing business
- commit to starting your business and making the minimum capital investment within 12 months of the start date of any visa issued
- Speak and understand English
- meet the minimum health and character requirements for a visa to New Zealand
You must also score at least 120 points on the points scale for this visa. Points are awarded based on your individual circumstances and typically based on the following criteria:
- Planned capital investment
- +10 points for each additional NZD $100,000 above the minimum requirement, up to 50 points for an investment of NZD $500,000 to NZD $749,000.
- Investments of NZD $750,000 to NZD $999,999 would earn 60 points
- Investments of NZD $1,000,000 or more would earn 80 points
- Previous business experience
- +5 points for at least three years’ experience running any other business, +10 for between five and nine years up to a maximum of 20 points for ten years’ experience or more
- +20 points for at least three years’ experience running a similar business, +30 for between five and nine years up to a maximum of 40 points for ten years’ experience or more
- +5 points for at least five years’ experience as a senior manager in a similar business, up to a maximum of +10 points for ten years’ experience or more
- Job creation
- +10 points if your business will create one full-time job, increasing to a potential maximum of +80 points if your business will create at least ten full-time jobs
- Export turnover
- +10 points if your business will turnover at least NZD $200,000 in exports per annum, up to a potential maximum of +80 points for exports of over NZD $1,000,000
- Business location
- +40 points if you intend to start your business outside of the Auckland area
- Age
- +15 points if you are aged 24 or younger
- +20 points if you are aged 25 to 49
- +10 points if you are aged 50 to 59
If granted, an Entrepreneur Work Visa gives the holder permission to live in New Zealand and to work in the business specified in their visa application, as well as the right to undertake up to 3 months of study in any 12-month period.
Applicants are permitted to include their partner and/or dependent children in their application, providing that they also meet the identity, character and health requirements.
Holders of this visa are permitted to travel to and from New Zealand freely for the duration of their visa.
An Entrepreneur Work Visa is valid for an initial period of 12 months, extendable for a further 24 months on the condition that the holder proves that they have set up their business in New Zealand or will do within a reasonable time. In order to remain in New Zealand beyond the maximum three years of this visa, holders may want to consider applying for another work visa, or a residence visa such as the Entrepreneur Resident Visa.
Once you have gathered your supporting evidence and information, applications for an Entrepreneur Work Visa can be submitted online. Around 80% of applications receive a decision within seven months.
How much your application will cost depends on your nationality, and can range from zero up to NZD $3920.
Mohamed Anas Sirajur Raheem
BA (Political Studies), LLB (VUW)
Mohamed is a New Zealand Immigration Consultant with VisaEnvoy and an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
He is a former New Zealand Immigration Officer (Visa Services) and Border Officer at Auckland International Airport. He has several years of experience working in various Government Departments in New Zealand and has also worked as a Licensed Immigration Adviser at a prominent New Zealand Immigration firm.
His areas of expertise and interest are in the fields of General Skilled Migration, Temporary Work (Long and Short Stay), Business visas, Partner, Parent and Child Visa streams.
Mohamed was inspired to pursue a career in immigration by his own migration experiences. Over the years he has assisted individuals, families, large corporations, Professional sportspeople, and Entertainers (singers, speakers, and actors) to come to New Zealand.
