BD2.25 Business experience

1. The principal applicant must have a minimum of three years of business experience acquired through:
   1. paid self-employment in a lawful business enterprise (see BD9.30) or charity or non-governmental organisation operating in a commercial environment, that has at least five full-time employees or an annual revenue of NZ$1 million; and/or
   2. paid senior management level experience in a lawful business enterprise or charity or non-governmental organisation operating in a commercial environment that had at least five full-time employees under the direct management control of the principal applicant and an annual turn-over of at least NZ$5 million.
2. Senior management experience means extensive experience at a senior level within a lawful business enterprise or charity or non-governmental organisation, including, but not limited to:
   1. approving significant expenditure
   2. approving marketing strategies or business plans
   3. ensuring compliance with tax and legal obligations
   4. making financial decisions (budgeting, investments, pricing)
   5. managing employees or teams
   6. overseeing production, service delivery, or logistics
   7. responsibility for cash flow and profitability
   8. strategic planning
   9. the use of specific executive powers, authorised by the board of directors and/or the shareholders.
3. The length of business experience is determined on the basis of full-time business experience of at least 30 hours per week.
4. Part-time business experience may be recognised on a proportional basis.

   Example: Business experience gained over eight years for 15 hours per week would equal four years business experience based on a 30-hour week.

5. Where a principal applicant has worked more than 30 hours in any week, credit is given for 30-hour weeks only.
6. Evidence of the principal applicant's business experience must show the position(s) and the responsibilities held and time spent by the applicant engaged in the entity.
7. Evidence can include, but is not limited to:
   1. business registration
   2. company financial accounts
   3. company tax returns and tax records
   4. shareholder certificates or proof of ownership of business
   5. job specifications
   6. job assessments
   7. pay records
   8. personal tax returns
   9. letters of appointment
   10. certificates of service
   11. strategic planning documents
   12. bank records confirming authority to operate accounts
   13. references from employers on company letterhead, stating the occupation and dates of employment, and giving the contact phone number and address of the employer
   14. references from a third party with relevant occupational registration, acceptable to a business immigration specialist.

Notes:
- Documents provided as evidence of business experience must, in combination, demonstrate the applicant meets the requirements for recognition of the business experience (see BD2.25).
- Business experience must be lawfully gained (for example, the applicant must have the immigration or citizenship status required to undertake the role in which they gained the experience).

Effective 24/11/2025