Pathways to residence are available for migrants who can demonstrate they have been actively participating in their business and contributing to New Zealand’s economic development. There are two categories:

• Entrepreneur Category
• Entrepreneur Plus Category.

Entrepreneur Category

If you have successfully established a business in New Zealand, and you have been 'self-employed' in that business 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.

Entrepreneur Plus Category

Under this category there is no minimum time requirement for which you must have operated your business, and it provides a faster track to residence if you:

• hold a long-term business visa
• have successfully established a business in New Zealand
• have been 'self-employed' in that business
• have invested at least NZ$0.5 million in the business, and
• have created a minimum of three new full-time jobs for New Zealand citizens or residents. 

For both categories you will need to show that your business complies with New Zealand employment and immigration law. Some requirements are different (mainly for English language and benefit to New Zealand) if you:

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

Requirements

• See the Entrepreneur Plus requirements.
• See the Entrepreneur requirements.