New Zealand
Emigration and Visas in New Zealand
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New Zealand Emigration
If you are going to live and work in New Zealand you will need a visa. But if you are a British passport holder you can visit for up to 6 months without needing a visa. A visit to New Zealand would be a good idea, and then you can see which part of the country appeals to you.
There are several ways to get a visa, but there are more opportunities for visas if you are starting up your own business in New Zealand:
Long-term Business visas
To get this visa you will need to have evidence for 'sufficient funds', good English, good health, and a sound business plan. You will get a nine month visa so that you can set up the business. After these nine months you need to apply to another three years, but you will have to show that you are making progress in your business with relevant documents (accounts, GST records, tax documents, invoices, bank statements etc).
This visa can be a step towards gaining residency.
Entrepreneur Visa
After two years in business you can apply for residence. You need to:
- Have bought (or have at least 25 % share in) a business in New Zealand
- You have to have been in that same business for at least 2 years
But you can't have had any welfare benefits while you have been in New Zealand (neither can your family).
Active Investor Migrant
There are 3 different categories, depending on how much money you are investing. The minimum investment to obtain a visa in this area is NZ$2.5 million + NZ$1 million for settlement funds. You must also have at least four years business experience, good health, and a clean police record. Sometimes there is an English language requirement also.
Apart from the business visas you can also apply to stay in New Zealand under other categories;
Skilled Migrant Category
New Zealand has a list of jobs/skills/occupations which the country needs. This is a points system. Obviously if you are in a sector on this list, you get more points. Points are also given for qualifications, experience, age, job offers etc.
There are also visas for dependent family members, and working holiday visas.
For more information you can have a look of the website for the Ministry of Immigration: www.immigration.govt.nz
Click here to Ask an Expert about Emigration and Visas in New Zealand