How to start a business in NZ and what are the visa requirements?
New Zealand is a small country with 4.5 million population. 1.5 million people lives in Auckland.
If you want to start a business in NZ you need a long term business visa.

The requirements for getting LTBV are:
1. the business you want to start or run must be related to your existing business experience (some exceptions apply)
2. there is no minimum capital requirement, but it must commensurate with the business capital requirement
3. you can buy into the shareholding of existing business (not less than 25%)
4. there is no age limit
5. you must be proficient in English (IELTS 4 and above) - equivalent to Form 3 and above
6. you need to have a business plan
If you meet all the above you are likely to be granted 3 years LTBV

With the 3 years LTBV, your family (spouse and dependents) can migrate to NZ.
Your children can atttend primary and secondary school free (domestic fees apply)

If you have any burning questions, I will reply your questions here.

G' day LarryKiwi,

Just to clarify 2 points:
2. there is no minimum capital requirement, but it must commensurate with the business capital requirement
What does it mean by "it must commensurate with the business capital requirement" when there is no minimum capital requirement?
Perhaps a better question would be "what is the capital requirement to commensurate with the business capital requirement?".

3. you can buy into the shareholding of existing business (not less than 25%)
Investments / shareholding of NZ's public listed companies are not part of the "shareholding of existing businesses"?
Just thinking on the "not less than 25%" portion - whoa.. for a public listed company's shares , thus clarifying.

Thanks in advance

Hi Wong,
1. the visa requirement does not specify the minimum amount of investment, but understandably your investment must meet the proposed business capital requirement, which is dependent on the type of business you want to do
2. shareholding does not have to be in listed company. I don't quite understand your question here.

Cheers

1. Im in construction industry. Esp building and infrastructure works. So whats the requirement?

2. As in buying shares of Mr. A company which has being in business at NZ for a number of years? Must the company be setup by local resident or PR is also allowed?

The rebuilding of Christchurch will see boom in construction and building industries. The total insurance payout in Christchurch is expected to be around $20 billions. So opportunities are plenty there as well as the rest of the country. You needs builder licence to be in construction industry. I can help you with that.

Yes, you can invest or buy shares in existing company either it is owned by citizen, pr or foreigner, so long as the company is locally established. PM me.

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Added on August 22, 2012, 4:02 pmThe greatest risk in life is not taking one.
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

This post has been edited by larrykiwi: Aug 22 2012, 04:02 PM

It makes me wonder if he is selling something fishy. All this secretive "PM me stuff" raises too many red flags

Hi Wodenus, I think I am not allowed to sell anything fishy here. You can ask me questions and I will reply you here. Some people prefer to ask question off line.
Cheers

hmmmm......

So answer this question, do you have a vested interest in getting people to migrate?

Hi Wodenus,
Sure I do. I provide services to those who require my service. I will help answer any questions people have free of charge or pro bono if you like, in this forum.

I want to promote awareness of this opportunity that not many people are aware of. NZ is a country founded by migrants so are many countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. NZ welcomes business entrepreneurs and skilled migrants as mush as Malaysia, Singaore and Australia.

Cheers

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Added on August 23, 2012, 4:57 pmI hope more people would post questions here instead of pm me, so more people can see my reply, though i respect you want privacy.
Let me share some facts about NZ:

2nd safest country in the World – Global Peace Index 2011
Least corrupted country in the World – Corruption Perception Index 2011
NZ education system is ranked No. 1 in the world by UNDP in 2011
NZ is ranked 5th in the world in overall Human Development Index by UNDP in 2011
Auckland is ranked 3rd in the world in Quality of Living by Mercer in 2011
25% of Auckland populations are of ethnic Asians numbered about 260,000
NZ has 3 free to air 24x7 Chinese TV channels
NZ has 4 paid 24x7 Chinese TV channels


This post has been edited by larrykiwi: Aug 23 2012, 04:57 PM

If i want to start a business in an industry that i'm passionate with but without existing experience, what are the exceptions that apply?

This post has been edited by mengwai: Sep 22 2012, 08:38 PM

Hi It depends on what sort of experience you currently have. You may be able to apply your management skills in managing your current or past business and apply it to a new business which is different from your current industry. So long as you can demonstrate your knowledge in the new bsuiness you may be eligible for a Long Term Business Visa.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Cheers

Regarding the LTBV, will i be granted the same rights as a PR holder? as in do i get the same medical benefits etc?

Hi Mengwai,
Yes, under LTBV, you will be given a 3 years work permit and you and your partner and children (under 19) will be able to enjoy the government funded health care just like a PR. Your children will be able to attend primary & secondary school free but not universities though. Only PR and citizens enjoy subsidised education at tertiary level.
Hope that answers your question.

cheers

is buying a small business, eg. newsagent or small retail operation, included in this scheme?

With the 3 years LTBV, are there further conditions on entry/exit, length of stay or not, in NZ? can we invest, get the LTBV and remain in Msia?

Hi YCS
The requirement did not specify what type of businesses. The immigration would also take into account where you want to establish the business whehter in the main centres or outside main centres. To answer your question, yes it includes all types of businesses so long as the businesses benefit the NZ economy.

The 3 years LTBV will allow you multiple entries/exits. You are expected to stay at least 184 days in a year for 2 years in order to be eligible to apply for PR. However, if you invest $500K or more you may be granted PR with conditions.

Hope that anwers your question. Feel free to post more questions.

Cheers

Ahh... nice to found this thread. Have been holidaying to CHCH twice and i must admit that I really loved it there. Sure, I have plans to look for any open opportunities in the future. I'm in IT-Web.

Let me know how I can help you or you can message me.

cheers

Thanks larry, not quite soon as currently im still sorting out my establishment will do when i need some extra information.

I plan to migrate to NZ, besides English test do I need to have a basic diploma or SPM qualification ?