Entrepreneur Visa

If you have successfully established and been ‘self-employed’ in a business in New Zealand for at least two years, and your business has benefited New Zealand, you may be eligible for residence in New Zealand under the Entrepreneur Category.

The first step towards becoming a New Zealand resident under this category is usually to obtain a Long Term Business Visa in order to be able to work in your business.

View a text version of the table above

Some requirements are different if you:

• have been on a long-term business visa approved (or approved in principle) before 20 November 2002, or
• have renewed your long-term business visa that was originally approved (or approved in principle) before that date. 

If this sounds like the best visa option for you, find out more about the Entrepreneur visa criteria for approval.

If you are looking for a fast-track to residence, check our the Entrepreneur Plus.