We expect you to provide good evidence to show that you meet the requirements, particularly including documents produced by reliable independent agencies that we can reliably verify. You should provide a range of documents.
Evidence that you have established a business in New Zealand
The evidence you need to provide to show that you have established and been self-employed in a business in New Zealand could include:
- Certificate of incorporation and constitution or other documents to show the existence of the business, and your ownership
- Financial statements for the business
- GST returns
- Other tax records e.g. your personal tax returns
- Documents showing property lease or purchase by the business
- Business purchase agreement
- Invoices for business equipment and supplies
- Other documents such as employment agreements, bank statements, ACC invoices, invoices from phone and power companies
- Photos of the business and you operating it
- Other documents of particular relevance to your business.
You should provide a range of documents over a period of at least two years.
Evidence that your business is benefiting New Zealand
The evidence you need to provide to show that your business is benefiting New Zealand could include:
- Employment records such as IRD PAYE monthly schedules
- Financial statements for the business
- Export/import documents
- Tax records
- Other documents that show a benefit to New Zealand.
Evidence that your business meets New Zealand employment and immigration law
You’ll need to have documents that show us you meet these requirements, such as documents proving you’re:
- paying employees no less than the correct adult or youth minimum wages, or the industry standard
- meeting holiday and special leave requirements and looking after the health and safety of your employees
- only employing people who are legally able to undertake that work in New Zealand.
We will verify your documents to check that you meet the requirements. We may visit your business or arrange for another person to visit.