Entrepreneur Resident Visa
You can apply for this visa if you have been self-employed in New Zealand at least 6 months, or have operated a self-employed business for 2 years on another visa.
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Length of stay
Live, work and study
indefinitely
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Cost
From
NZD $14890
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Processing time
Data
not available
To apply you must:
- be a fit and proper person
- have a current Entrepreneur Work Visa, if you have been self-employed for less than 2 years
- have a business that is trading profitably
- have a business that complies with New Zealand employment and immigration law
- not have received any welfare benefits or assistance
- speak and understand English
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
This visa lets you:
- live, work and study in New Zealand
- continue to operate your own business
- include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and younger, in your visa application.
If you apply having been self-employed for less than 2 years, you will need to have an Entrepreneur Work Visa, have invested capital of at least NZD $500,000 and have created 3 new jobs in New Zealand.
How long you can stay
An Entrepreneur Resident Visa lets you stay in New Zealand indefinitely.
Who can apply
Check if you are eligible to apply for this visa and what supporting documents and information you need to provide.
Identity
As proof of your identity, you must provide:
- 2 acceptable photos of your head and shoulders
- your original or a certified copy of your passport or
- your original or a
of your
If your photo does not meet all of our requirements we will ask you for a new photo. If you are applying for a visa, we will stop processing your application until we receive an acceptable photo. If you are requesting an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or refused. Use the photo examples on this page to check your photo is correct and meets our requirements. Alert Do not use the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website or other online tools to check your photo as those tools are for passport photos only. Your photo is more likely to be accepted if you use a professional photographer or business that takes passport photos. Give the photographer our instructions to make sure you get a photo that meets our requirements.
The photo you submit with a paper application must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Further instructions are on the paper application forms. Note You can only apply for an NZeTA online. The photo you submit with an online application must be: Alert We are unlikely to accept your photo if it is not the right size. If you request an NZeTA using the web app, you can either upload an existing photo or take one using your device's camera. If you use the mobile app, you can only take a photo using your device's camera. Your photo must be: If you take a photo with your device, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels. Large photos will be automatically formatted. If there is an issue with your photo you will receive an error message when you submit your visa or NZeTA photo online. To help you, we have provided a list of online errors and how to fix them. Your photo must: It may be easier to remove them.
Visa and NZeTA photos
Your photo must be less than 6 months old and clearly identify you. It must also meet all of our technical requirements.
Meeting our photo requirements
Visa and NZeTA photos are not passport photos
Using a professional photographer
Paper applications for visas
Online applications for visas
Online requests for NZeTAs
Online photo error messages
Taking your visa photo
Be in portrait, not landscape
Be of you, not a photo of a photo or your travel document
Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
Be in colour, showing natural skin tones
Be in focus, not blurry
Not contain red-eye
Be an original photo, not changed by photo-editing software
Not be a selfie
Be taken 1.5 metres from the face
Be taken against a plain, light-coloured — but not white — background with no patterns or objects
Only contain plain clothing patterns
Be of one person
We need to clearly see your face
Face the camera and keep your head straight
Keep your eyes open and mouth closed
Do not smile or frown
Show your face clearly and that long hair is tucked behind your ears
Position yourself in the middle of the photo
Remove sunglasses and hats
If you wear prescription glasses
Make sure your eyes show clearly through the lenses, with no reflected light
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons
Make sure that your face and hairline can be seen in the photo
Note
If you provide a certified copy, we may request your original passport to complete your application.
Applicants from Hong Kong or Macao applying within Hong Kong or Macao
You must also provide a copy of your identity card.
Citizens of Indonesia
If you are a citizen of Indonesia, you must also provide your
Applicants applying from New Caledonia
You must also provide a copy of your carte d’assuré.
Even if your partner and children are not coming with you, you must also provide:
- copies of their passports
- a copy of your livret de famille.
Applicants applying from French Polynesia or Wallis and Futuna
If you are not a French national, you must also provide a copy of your carte d’assuré.
Health
You must be in good health.
You must have a chest X-ray and a medical examination as proof of your good health.
Note You can check the situations where you need an X-ray or medical examination, and the different types of examinations. Who needs an X-ray or medical examination If you need a medical examination, you normally get a 'general medical examination' unless you need a limited medical examination. A general medical examination is sometimes called a 'full medical examination'. For some visas, you must have a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both before you apply. For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or a Visitor Visa, we will let you know after you submit your application if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination. If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination, you must visit a doctor or radiologist from our list of 'panel physicians' — unless there are no panel physicians in your country. Panel physicians are doctors and radiologists approved to complete chest X-rays and medical examinations for New Zealand visa applications. Check if there is a panel physician in your country. Doctors who can do examinations You must visit a panel physician. You can use any registered doctor. You must visit a panel medical clinic who will refer you to a panel radiology clinic. Note If there are other people on your application, they will each need an appointment. If you are menstruating (having a period), you need to wait until your period finishes before having your medical examination. You cannot have your medical examination during your period because the blood can affect your urine test. For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or Visitor Visa, if we need you to have a chest X-ray or medical examination, we give you an Immigration New Zealand health case reference number (NZHR). Give the NZHR to the clinic when you make your appointment. Finding your eMedical and INZ health case reference numbers You can bring a family member, support person or interpreter to your appointment. Let the clinic know when you make your appointment if you are bringing someone with you. If you are having a physical examination, you can ask the clinic for a chaperone. The clinic must have chaperones available. Have the following ready to bring to your appointment: Identity documents for X-rays and medical examinations Note If you are 17 years or under, you need your parent or legal guardian to come with you. If you are visiting any registered doctor because there are no panel physicians in your country, you need to also bring: Get the medical certificate form you need:
You need to also bring a completed 'Immigration Adviser Details' form to give to the clinic.
At your medical appointment, you must sign a form to allow the doctor to send your medical information to us. If you are 17 or younger, your parent or guardian must sign the form for you. If your doctor is using eMedical, they will give you an eMedical client consent and declaration form to sign. You can read the form before your appointment:
There are 3 parts to the medical examination: The doctor checks your height, weight, mental state, hearing and vision, listens to your heart and lungs, feels your abdomen and checks your reflexes and other parts of your nervous system. A nurse or health care assistant may complete parts of the examination. You will need to: You must pay any costs related to your X-ray and medical examinations. Note Ask the clinic about the costs when you make your appointment. In your visa application, you need to provide evidence of your X-ray or examination results. To show you had an examination you can either: To get a copy of your results you can ask the doctor when you have your examination, or any time afterwards. You can ask for email notifications. If you do, you will receive an email when your physician sends us your results. You cannot reply to this email. If you have any questions about your results, discuss these with your doctor. You can ask the clinic for a copy of your medical examination results. Once we receive your results you can also contact us if you want a copy of them. If you have an immigration adviser, and would like them to be able to see and ask questions about your medical information, you need to:
The panel physicians who use eMedical must agree to protect your personal information to meet New Zealand privacy laws. Your information is sent to us using a secure online channel and is available only to us and the clinic where you were examined. If you have any privacy concerns, you can contact us.
How to get an X-ray or medical examination
If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination for your visa application, you will need to make a doctor's appointment and take any relevant documents with you. You will need to provide evidence of your medical results in your application.
Process overview
Your chest X-ray and medical examination results must be no more than 3 months old when we get your application.
1. Check if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination
2. Make an appointment
If there is a panel physician in your country
If there is no panel physician in your country
If you are in New Zealand and only need a chest X-ray
Bringing someone with you to the appointment
3. Get what you need for your appointment
If you are visiting a doctor that is not a panel physician
If you are using a licensed immigration adviser
4. Go to your appointment
Authority to collect medical information
What happens at the medical examination
Paying for your medical examination
5. Provide evidence of your results in your application
6. How to get your results
If you need a copy of your results
Sharing your medical information with an immigration adviser
Your privacy
Character
You must be of good character.
If you, or anyone else included in your application, are aged 17 or older you must provide a police certificate from:
- all the countries you are a citizen of, and
- any other country you have stayed in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years, even if it was not all in the same stay.
How to get a police certificate
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements. When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been: If there is an issue, we may: You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements. Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances. You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.
Being of good character
Providing police certificates
Note
Police certificates must be less than 6 months old at the time you apply.
Fit and proper person
You must be a fit and proper person.
You must confirm in the application form that you meet fit and proper person requirements.
To be a fit and proper person, all businesses you have influence over must have complied with all immigration, employment and taxation laws. You must also:
- have never been investigated by the Serious Fraud Office or the New Zealand police for any offence resulting from business dealings
- have no convictions for an offence involving dishonesty
- have never been involved in business fraud or financial impropriety.
Note
We will contact you if you need to provide further information.
English language
You must speak and understand English.
You can show us you speak English by either providing:
- an acceptable English language test result
- evidence you have an English-speaking background
- evidence you are a competent user of English for other reasons.
Your result must be no more than 2 years old at the time you apply and must be obtained by sitting the test in person at a test centre. Tests taken remotely outside of a test centre, such as ‘at home’ tests are not acceptable. Check Table 1 to find out which English language test results we accept if you are the principal applicant for an: In 2023 the International English Language Test System (IELTS) provider introduced a One Skill Retake option for both their Academic and General Training tests. The IELTS One Skill Retake must be completed within 60 days of the original test date. The Cambridge English: First (FCE) is now called B2 First. The Cambridge English: First for Schools (FCE) is now called B2 First for Schools. International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Grade D or higher in all 4 skills — listening, reading, writing and speaking. You need this score in all 4 skills because there is no overall grade for this test. Instead of taking an English language test, you can meet our English language requirements by:
English language test results for entrepreneurs and employees relocating to New Zealand
Find out which English language test results are acceptable if you are applying for an entrepreneur visa or you are the employee of a business that is relocating to New Zealand.
Your English language test results
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)
Cambridge language assessments
Test
Minimum score you need
4 overall
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
31 overall
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
29 overall
Cambridge English B2 First
142 overall
Cambridge B2 First for Schools
142 overall
Occupational English Test (OET)
Paper or computer-based test
Other ways to show English proficiency
Your English-speaking background can be shown by your: Alert Your visa requirements state how you can meet our English language criteria. When you apply for a visa, proof of your English-speaking background can include: You can show us you are a competent user of English because of where you live, your family life, work background and studies. Evidence you meet our minimum standard of English can include: We may ask you to provide us with an English language test result if we need further evidence that you meet the minimum standard. You can buy English language lessons for your partner and dependent children aged 16 and older, as part of your visa application. You choose the lesson option when you apply. Then if your application is successful, we would approve it in principle. When you then pay for the lessons, we can fully approve your application and grant your visa. This lets your partner and dependent children improve their English after they come to New Zealand. If your partner and dependent children sit an English language test, but do not get a high enough score, they may get a discount on the cost of the lessons. Learning English after you come to New Zealand If you (as the
Principal applicants for other visas cannot use the English lesson option as a way to meet our English language requirements. Your visa requirements state whether or not you need to meet any minimum requirements for English. Some visas have no requirements around English language. The level of English language ability is higher for skilled residence visas and cannot be met from just having an English-speaking background.
Meeting English language requirements
For visas other than skilled residence visas, you may be able to use your English-speaking background to meet our English language requirements.
Using your background to meet our English language requirements
If you are applying for a skilled residence visa, you cannot use English-speaking background as evidence of your English language ability.
English-speaking background from education and qualifications
Qualification
Minimum score or level required
General Certificate of Education (GCE) ‘A’ levels from Britain or Singapore
C pass. Subjects must include English Language or Literature or Use of English
International Baccalaureate
Full diploma in English medium
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
C pass
Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations (HKALE)
C pass in Use of English
STPM 920 (Malaysia)
A or B pass in English Literature
University of Cambridge in collaboration with University of Malaya, General Certificate of English (GCE) ‘A’ levels
C pass, including English or General Paper subjects.
South African Matriculation Certificate
Minimum D pass in English (higher grade)
South African Senior Certificate
Minimum D pass in English (higher grade), endorsed with the words 'matriculation exempt’
New Zealand tertiary entrance qualification
Gained on completing year 13 (seventh form)
English-speaking background from work, family and everyday life
If your background is insufficient evidence
English language tests
English language lessons
For your partner and dependent children
For principal applicants applying for a Parent Resident Visa
Other visas and their English language ability requirements
Note
English language test results must be no more than 2 years old.
Relationship with family
If you include your partner and children in your application, you must have a genuine relationship with them.
You must provide evidence:
- of your relationship with your partner and dependent children, like a marriage certificate and birth certificates
- that your partner and dependent children meet the identity, character, health and English language requirements for this visa.
We define partnership as 2 people, who live together in a
You must be able to show us that you and your partner are living together in a
Living together means sharing the same home as your partner. This does not include: Evidence showing you are living together can include: For some partnership applications – such as a Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa – evidence of living together must cover a period of 12 months prior to the application being submitted. Make sure you check the category you are applying under to see if we need this from you. You can provide us with items showing your shared address, dated every few months, to cover the full duration. These items can be addressed to you both jointly — or individually — as long as we can see that you have both been at the same address for the same period of time. Evidence of having a genuine and stable relationship needs to show that: Evidence can include: The way we want to receive this evidence depends on how you are applying. If you apply by paper for a residence visa, we must receive originals or certified copies. You can send electronically issued documents as we regard those as originals. If you apply online, we accept scanned images — so you do not need to send us originals or certified copies. You and your supporting partner must: When you apply for a visa based on your partnership with a New Zealand visa holder or New Zealand citizen, we call that person your supporting partner. Character requirements for New Zealand visas See also the requirements for supporting partners in the 'Eligible NZ supporting partner' and 'Your partner's' sections for these visas: When we assess your visa application, we consider things like: We will also look at your living and financial arrangements, including: If you and your partner have spent time living apart, you should provide information about your separation, including: We will use the information you provide to assess whether you and your partner have genuine and compelling reasons to have stayed apart. Note If you and your partner are coming together through a culturally arranged marriage, the rules are different.
Partnership and how to prove it
If you are applying for a visa based on your partnership, find out how we define partnership and what evidence you can provide to show your relationship is genuine.
How we define partnership
Providing evidence of your partnership
Living together
Having a genuine and stable relationship
How to supply this evidence
Applying by paper
Applying online
Minimum requirements
Supporting partners
How we assess partnership
If you have not always lived together
There are 2 ways that dependent children can apply for a visa. Note The definition of dependent children depends on age and whether they are applying for a resident visa or a temporary visa. Your child is dependent if they are: If they are 18 or over they must not have children of their own. If they are aged 21 to 24 they must also rely on you or another adult for financial support (depending on which visa they have applied for). Your child is dependent if they: If they are 18 or 19 they must not have children of their own. If your children are 20 or older: If they want to join you in New Zealand they need to apply for their own visa. If your children are aged 20 to 24 they may still be dependent if: Your children must have applied for, or have been included in your application for one of the following residence visas:
Bringing children
How to apply for visas for dependent children.
How your children apply for a visa
Dependent children are not eligible for work visas.
How we define dependent children
Resident visas for dependent children
Temporary visas for dependent children
Primary or secondary student visas and visitor visas
Child of a New Zealander or Worker visitor visas
Eligible residence visas
Note
If your partner and dependent children aged 16 or older do not speak English, you can purchase English language lessons for them to meet this requirement. You will have to pay us for English language classes before we can grant you a visa.
Before we approve your application for a resident visa, your
They can do this by passing language tests or by proving they already speak English. If your partner and children aged 16 or older do not meet the minimum standard of English for the resident visa you are applying for, you must pay us for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tuition before we can approve your application. When your partner and children arrive in New Zealand, they can learn English in the classes you have paid for. The cost of ESOL classes depends on how well each member of your family can speak English. If your partner and children (aged 16 and over) speak some English, they can take an English language test to find out what their level of English is. We use the test scores to decide how much tuition they will need. The higher their test score, the less you pay for their tuition. Note If they are not able to speak English at all or do not take the test, you must pay the maximum charge for their English language tuition. If you are applying for a Parent Resident Visa and you do not have an English-speaking background, you pay the minimum charge no matter how well you speak and understand English. We only accept results from some organisations that offer English language tests. Your result must be no more than 2 years old at the time you apply and must be obtained by sitting the test in person at a test centre. Tests taken remotely outside of a test centre, such as ‘at home’ tests are not acceptable. The total amount you pay includes: This is what you pay if you took: Your grade must apply to all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. After we approve your application in principle and before we grant you a resident visa, we: The agreement explains the conditions of the ESOL tuition and gives information about the TEC. We send 2 copies: The TEC is the New Zealand government agency that arranges ESOL tuition. We pay your class fees to the TEC. There are many different courses and course providers in all parts of New Zealand teaching English for speakers of other languages. Find an English language class The TEC website also has information about English language course details, locations and costs. Information for migrant learners | TEC Your family has 5 years to complete their ESOL classes. Most people start classes as soon as possible after they arrive in New Zealand, and find that speaking and understanding English helps them settle here successfully. If you and your family never enter New Zealand on your resident visa, we can refund the money you paid for ESOL classes. To get a refund, contact us within 6 months of your resident visa expiring.
Learning English for families of resident visa applicants
Your partner and children aged 16 and older must show that they can speak and understand English. Find out how your family can get lessons.
An acceptable standard of English
If your family does not speak English well enough
How we work out the cost of English classes
Applying for a Parent Resident Visa
English language tests you can take
Organisation
Website
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTS
Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
TOEFL iBT
Occupational English Test (OET) — designed for health care professionals
OET
Cambridge Assessment English — B2 First (FCE)
B2 First (First Certificate in English)
Cambridge Assessment English — B2 First for Schools (FCE for Schools)
B2 First for Schools (First Certificate in English)
Pearson Test of English: Academic (PTE: Academic)
Pearson PTE Academic
How much you pay
If you took the IELTS test
Your overall score
Total fees
Class fees
Administration fee
4.5 or more, but less than 5.0
NZD $1735
NZD $1531.82
NZD $203.18
4.0 or more, but less than 4.5
NZD $3420
NZD $3063.64
NZD $356.36
3.5 or more, but less than 4.0
NZD $5100
NZD $4600.00
NZD $510.00
Less than 3.5
NZD $6795
NZD $6131.82
NZD $663.18
If you took the TOEFL iBT test
Your overall score
Total fees
Class fees
Administration fee
32 to 34
NZD $1,735
NZD $1,531.82
NZD $203.18
31
NZD $3420
NZD $3063.64
NZD $356.36
If you took the PTE: Academic test
Your overall score
Total fees
Class fees
Administration fee
30 to 35
NZD $1,735
NZD $1,531.82
NZD $203.18
29
NZD $3420
NZD $3063.64
NZD $356.36
If you took a Cambridge Assessment English
Your overall score
Total fees
Class fees
Administration fee
157 to 153
NZD $1,735
NZD $1,531.82
NZD $203.18
142 to 146
NZD $3420
NZD $3063.64
NZD $356.36
If you took the OET test
Your overall score
Total fees
Class fees
Administration fee
Grade C
NZD $1,735
NZD $1,531.82
NZD $203.18
Grade D
NZD $3420
NZD $3063.64
NZD $356.36
Paying for ESOL classes
Who provides the classes
Where you can learn English
Starting classes
If you do not come to NZ
If your partner or dependent children have, or applied for, a New Zealand temporary entry visa based on their relationship with you, you must include them in your residence application.
Your work visa
You must have a current Entrepreneur Work Visa if you have been self-employed for less than two years.
We will check our records for evidence you hold an appropriate work visa.
We may be able to accept another current visa, if you have been working in your own business in New Zealand for at least 2 years and both:
- your visa allows self-employment in New Zealand
- you meet all the requirements for an Entrepreneur Work Visa.
New Zealand business
You must have either set-up or purchased at least 25% of the shareholding in a New Zealand business and have been running that business for at least 6 months.
You must provide evidence that shows how long you have been running your business in New Zealand, which may include:
- a certificate of incorporation
- audited financial statements
- GST records
- other tax records
- export documents
- employment agreements
- wage and salary records
- documents showing you have purchased or leased the business site
- invoices for business equipment and supplies
- any other documents that demonstrate the operation of the business.
Note
If you have been running your business for less than 6 months you will not be eligible for this visa.
Business plan
Your business must have realised the benefits outlined in your business plan.
You must provide evidence your business has met or exceeded the goals outlined in your business plan.
Your business plan must include information about the business you will operate in New Zealand. Business information must include: Check if you need occupational registration for your job 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. You must include financial information, including: In your visa application you must include information about your business track record and character, including details of any: You can also include this information in your business plan. You must also include evidence that: If you are buying an existing business, your business plan must also include: Our Entrepreneur Work Visa Guide has information about how to set out your business plan.
Preparing your business plan
If you apply for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, you need to provide a detailed business plan. Find out what your plan needs to include.
What your business plan must include
Business information
Entrepreneur Work policy objective
Financial information
Optional business track record and character information
Supporting evidence for your business plan
If you are buying an existing business
Business profitability
Your business must be profitable.
Your business must be both:
- trading profitably (or have the potential to become profitable within 12 months)
- making enough money to pay yourself an annual salary that is at least as much as New Zealand’s full-time
Economic growth
Your business must be contributing to New Zealand’s economic growth.
You must provide evidence that your business is contributing to New Zealand’s economic growth in one of the following ways:
- introducing new technology, management or technical skills
- enhancing existing technology, management or technical skills
- introducing new products or services
- enhancing existing products or services
- creating new export markets
- expanding existing export markets
- creating at least 1 full-time job for a New Zealander (or at least 3 full-time jobs, if you have been in business for less than 2 years)
- offering new skills, networks, management capability and/or capital that increase an existing business’ financial performance.
For us to consider a product or service ‘new’ it would need to:
- be the only one of its kind in New Zealand
- be not previously available in the New Zealand location you run your business.
- offer a significant enhancement or product line not previously provided by an existing New Zealand business or in the location you run your business.
Capital investment
You must have invested at least as much capital as outlined in your business plan.
If you have been running your business for less than 2 years, your investment must be no less than NZ $500,000.
Note
Capital investments exclude:
-
- passive or speculative investments, like reserve funds or term deposits
- items for your own use, like your car, boat or home
- any salary or wages paid to you or your immediate family
- residential property investments, unless they are part of the business plan.
Employment and immigration law
Your business must comply with New Zealand employment and immigration law.
We may ask you to provide evidence that the business:
- pays workers no less than the minimum wage or other contracted industry standard
- meets holiday and other leave requirements
- provides a safe workplace
- only employs people who are allowed to work in New Zealand.
If the business is included on the list of non-compliant employers maintained by the Labour Inspectorate then we cannot approve your application.
No welfare assistance
You must not have received any welfare benefits or assistance.
If you or anyone included in your residence application, have received any welfare benefits or assistance since you were granted a Work Visa, you will not be eligible to apply for residence.
When you complete your residence application, we will ask for your authority to contact Work and Income to check if you have received any welfare benefits or assistance.
Businesses less than 2 years old
If you have been running your business for less than 2 years, there are extra requirements you must meet.
We will only consider waiving the minimum capital investment requirement, if both:
- your business is in science, ICT or another high-value export sector
- your business shows a high level of innovation or short-term growth prospects.
For us to consider your business high-value export business, it would need to aim to:
- create 5 or more jobs for New Zealanders
- turnover NZ $500,000 in annual exports.
For us to consider your business has a high level of innovation, you would need show us:
- you have discovered new ways to produce more goods or services without increasing the production costs
- your business is likely to succeed because of your innovation.
Note
We do not accept casual or contract roles as evidence of new jobs.
How to pay and submit
We cannot display any process or costs information until you have provided your country details.
Enter your details so we can show information that is relevant to you.
When you arrive
Entry permission
You must apply for permission to enter New Zealand. You do this by completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) form.
You can start your digital declaration any time, but the earliest you can submit it is 24 hours before starting your travel to New Zealand.
A paper declaration form is available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration
New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity also check that you meet their entry requirements.
Alert
You can be refused entry permission if you:
- do not meet our character requirements
- have had a change in circumstances since we issued your visa
- refuse to let us take your photo, fingerprints or an iris scan.
When you travel to New Zealand on a temporary visa, your intentions must be genuine. This means that you: We use all the information we have, including the information you give us in your application, to confirm that you have genuine intentions. Alert You must answer truthfully when you complete your visa application or NZTD. If you are travelling on a visitor visa or visiting from a
If you have a visitor visa for a specific reason, you must be coming to New Zealand for that reason. For example, if you have a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, your reason for visiting must be getting medical treatment. If you are travelling on a student visa, you must have genuine intentions to study in New Zealand. You can only work if the conditions of your student visa allow you to. If you are travelling to New Zealand to work, you must have a visa that will allow you to. Unless your visa allows you to work in any job, you must plan to work in the job, for the employer, and in the location specified in your visa. You may be asked to provide evidence of your genuine intentions: Here are some examples of evidence to show that you have genuine intentions in coming to New Zealand. To show your travel history, you could show a copy of your current and recent passports, including: If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, provide a copy of the visa allowing you to live in that country. If you have ever had a visa application declined by any other country, provide: If you plan to visit family or friends in New Zealand, provide their: Evidence of your travel plans while in New Zealand could include copies of: You may also need to show that you have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay. This evidence could include: If you are applying for a student visa, you could provide evidence that you have: If you do not need to pay tuition fees, or if you can pay by instalment — where you make smaller payments over a period of time — you must provide confirmation from your education provider. You can also write a cover letter or statement of purpose explaining why you want to study in New Zealand. This will help us decide if you are a genuine student. If you are using an education agent or licensed immigration adviser, they cannot write the letter for you. Examples of things you could write about in your letter or statement include: If you plan to apply for another visa — for example, a work visa — after you finish your studies, include this in your cover letter or statement of purpose.
To show that you have genuine intentions to work, you will in most cases need to provide: If your visa requires you to have enough money to live on during your stay, you will need to provide evidence. This could include: Depending on your situation, you may need to provide: We consider each application based on the information and evidence we receive. If you do not provide enough evidence, it may take us longer to process your application, or we may decline your application. You must provide genuine evidence. If you or your agent provide evidence that is false or misleading, we may also decline your application. False, misleading or withheld information in visa applications Check the translation requirements for the visa you are applying for. All non-English documents must be translated when you apply for visitor and resident visas. Providing English translations of supporting documents If you are applying online, make sure your evidence is in an acceptable file format. To decide if your intentions are genuine, we look at: We look at evidence you provide with your application to check that it: When we consider information about your personal circumstances, we look at: We also look at information from your previous applications and travel to New Zealand. This can show us if you have: We might not give you a visa or allow you to enter New Zealand if we:
Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in New Zealand
Before you can get a visa or enter New Zealand to visit, work or study, we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine.
What it means to have 'genuine intentions'
Visitor visas
Student visas
Work visas
Evidence to show you have genuine intentions
Evidence of your travel history
If you live in a different country to your citizenship
Declined visa applications
Evidence you are visiting family or friends
Evidence of your travel plans
Evidence of your study plans
Evidence of your work plans
Evidence you have enough money
Evidence of your home country circumstances
evidence of your relationships with close relatives in your home country
Providing good-quality evidence
How we decide if your intentions are genuine
Evidence you provide with your application
Your personal circumstances
Your previous applications
If we decide your intentions are not genuine
If you have been refused entry to New Zealand and you still want to travel to here, contact the Customer Service Centre for advice. You may need to apply for a visa before you travel here again. Together with your airline or other carrier, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if you do not meet our entry requirements — for example, if you cannot provide evidence that you can meet the conditions of your visa. When you arrive we check your identity and other information again before we give you
Alert Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter New Zealand. Your airline or other carrier can be fined if they let you board an aircraft or ship after we have let them know that you cannot travel. We can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if: We can stop you travelling to New Zealand or entering the country if you: We can also refuse to let you travel to or enter New Zealand if you cannot show us evidence to support the conditions of your visa. For example, you cannot show us evidence that you: Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in NZ If your circumstances have changed and you can no longer meet the conditions of your visa we can also refuse to let you enter New Zealand. For example, if your work visa is based on a job offer that has since been withdrawn you will not be allowed to travel to New Zealand on that visa. You cannot come to New Zealand if you do not meet our health and character requirements. For example, you can be refused entry if: You could be refused entry to New Zealand if you:
What might stop you from being allowed to enter New Zealand
Together with your airline or other carrier, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if you do not meet our entry requirements. For example, if you cannot provide evidence that you can meet the conditions of your visa.
Why we stop you travelling to or entering New Zealand
Your identity and travel documents
Information you provide to us
Meeting the conditions of your visa
Your character and health
Arriving in New Zealand
While you are in New Zealand
These are the conditions that you must meet once you have your visa.
Work
If you have been operating your business for less than 2 years, you must keep working in your own business for 2 years.
Note
The 2-year time period includes any time you have been working for yourself in New Zealand on an Entrepreneur Work Visa.
If you are unable to continue working in your own business, you and your family may have to leave New Zealand.
Capital investment
If you have been operating your business for less than 2 years, you must keep your nominated capital invested in your business for 2 years.
Note
The 2-year time period includes any time you have been working for yourself in New Zealand on an Entrepreneur Work Visa.
If you are unable to retain your capital investment, you and your family may have to leave New Zealand.
New jobs
If you have operated your business for less than 2 years, you must continue to employ people in the new jobs created, for a minimum of 2 years.
Note
The 2-year time period includes any time you have been working for yourself in New Zealand on an Entrepreneur Work Visa.
If you are unable to continue to employ people in the new jobs you created over the 2-year period, you and your family may have to leave New Zealand.
Contact details
You must provide us with your address and other contact details and let us know if these change while you are in New Zealand.
Note
We will need to get in touch with you to take part in an evaluation of the Entrepreneur Residence Visa Category.
Travel
You can travel in and out of New Zealand as many times as you like for 2 years.
To travel after that, you will need to apply for a variation of conditions or a Permanent Resident Visa.
Note
If you are outside of New Zealand when your travel conditions expire, your visa will expire as well.
Keep your visa in a valid passport
If you want to travel, your visa must be in a valid passport.
If your passport expires, you must apply to transfer your visa to a new passport before you can travel.
Transferring your visa to a new passport
Note
To transfer your visa, you must:
-
- send us your old and new passports
- complete an ‘Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa’
- pay a transfer fee.
Application for transfer or confirmation of a visa
Fees, decision times and where to apply