Preparing your business plan

If you are applying for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, you need to provide a detailed business plan that meets our requirements.

What your business plan must include

Your business plan must include information about the business you will operate in New Zealand.

Business information

Business information must include:

• the industry
• the location
• whether you will set up a new business or buy an existing one
• details of any occupational registration you have, if you need it to run your business in New Zealand
• details about the business environment and market you will work in, as you understand it
• how your business will meet at least 1 of the business characteristics identified in the Entrepreneur Work policy objective.

Occupational registration

Entrepreneur Work policy objective

The Entrepreneur Work policy objective is to contribute to economic growth by helping experienced business people grow or establish high-growth and innovative businesses that have export potential.

Financial information

You must include financial information, including:

• realistic financial forecasts
• evidence you have enough money to finance your business, and support any family who come to New Zealand with you.

Optional business track record and character information

In your visa application you must include information about your business track record and character, including details of any:

• past bankruptcy
• business failure, fraud or financial wrongdoing.

You can also include this information in your business plan.

Supporting evidence for your business plan

You must also include evidence that:

• supports any claims you made about your business in the Entrepreneur Work Visa points scale
• you have business experience relevant to the proposed business
• your business will meet at least 1 of the business characteristics identified in the Entrepreneur Work policy objective.

Points Scale for Entrepreneur Work Visa

If you are buying an existing business

If you are buying an existing business, your business plan must also include:

• evidence of the value of the business, for example a sales and purchase agreement or independent valuation
• evidence of the profitability of the business, for example profit and loss statements or audited accounts for the last 2 years
• information about how many people the business currently employs
• information about the benefit your business activity will provide New Zealand.

Our Entrepreneur Work Visa Guide has information about how to set out your business plan.

Entrepreneur Work Visa Guide (INZ 1221) PDF 284KB