1. Entrepreneur Residence Visa Category

Principal applicants in the Entrepreneur Residence Visa Category are required to demonstrate that:

• they have successfully established a business in New Zealand that realises the benefits outlined in their business plan, and have operated that business for at least:

i.   two years, and meet the requirements of Instruction BH2.1.1; or

ii.   six months, and meet the requirements of Instruction BH 2.1.5; and

• the business is benefiting New Zealand significantly; and
• the business complies with employment and immigration law; and
• the same or greater amount of capital has been invested in the business as outlined in the business plan.

Please refer to: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/index.htm

2. Migrant Investor Category

(a)  Investor Plus

Requirements:

• NZ$10 million investment;
• maintain investment in New Zealand for minimum of 3 years;
• spend 44 days in New Zealand in each of the final 2 years of the three year investment period; investment period; and
• meet health and character requirements.

(b)  Investor

Requirements:

•  English requirement-IELTS 3 or more;
•  NZ$1.5 million investment;
•  NZ$1 million settlement funds (transfer not required);
•  3 years business experience;
•  maintain investment in New Zealand for minimum of 4 years;
•  spend 146 days in New Zealand in each of the final 3 years of the 4 year investment period; and
•  meet health and character requirements.

3. Employee of a relocating business

This category aims to promote New Zealand as a place in which to invest and relocate businesses to by facilitating the residence and work visa of an employee of a relocating business.

To be approved under this category, the employee must:

• Be a key employee of the business that is proposing to relocate to New Zealand;
• Not qualify for residence under other residence categories;
• Be healthy and of good character; and
• Meet a minimum standard of English.