Self-Assessment Investor and Business Visas

Each of New Zealand's Entrepreneur and Investor programs has different minimum requirements.

Will you be able to migrate to New Zealand as investor or business owner?

Take a look at the table below. It shows the main policy requirements and will allow you to check for yourself, whether you might qualify for a visa under one of the investor and business migration policies.

You will see that the main difference between the various visa options lies in the required investment level – the more you invest, the less further requirements you will have to meet.

Self-Assessment Table

The table below shows the core requirements for each of the policies.

While good health and impeccable character are generally a pre-requesit for all visas for New Zealand, the levels of investment and settlement funds required vary considerably from one policy to the next and might be a determining factor for your choice of policy.

Age is another important aspect to consider: If you have reached the age limit of 56 years under the Skilled Migrant Category, you might still be able to migrate as business owner or investor.

Some migrants have limited English language capabilities. They might not reach the minimum level of language competency for a resident visa under the SMC, but can pass the Investor policy minimum level.

If you want to divide your time of the year between two locations in the world, you might be able to do so as investor, whereas there is a strict requirement for skilled migrant policy visa holders to be present in New Zealand most of the year.

Find out which business or investor visa might be best suited for you: 

Investor Category 2
Investor Category 1
Entrepreneur Work + Residence Visas
Parent Retirement Category
Temporary Retirement
Good Health
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
Good Character
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
Investment Funds
Minimum of NZ 3 million for 4 years
Minimum of NZ 10 million for 3 years
Minimum of NZ 100,000  
(can be waived)
Minimum of NZ 1 million
NZ 750,000
Settlement Funds
No requirement
No requirement
Sufficient maintenance Funds for the first three years
NZ 500,000
NZ 500,000
Age
Must be 65 or younger
No requirement
No requirement
No requirement
Must be 66 or older
Minimal English Language
IELTS level 3
No requirement
IELTS level 4
No requirement
No requirement
Minimum Time Spent in NZ
146 days each year
44 days each year
No requirement – but you have to be self-employed in New Zealand on a full-time basis for 2 years
No requirement
No requirement
Business Experience
Required
Required
Required
No requirement
No requirement
Business Plan
No requirement
No requirement
Required
No requirement
No requirement
Annual Income
No requirement
No requirement
No requirement
NZ 60,000
NZ 60,000

You may also be interested in:

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