Get a Long Term Business Visa or permit
A Long Term Business Visa (LTBV) or permit allows its holder to stay in New Zealand as a self-employed person for a period of up to three years.
If you are accepted under the LTBV category, you will first be given a work permit that will expire after nine months, allowing you the necessary time to take the steps to establish your business. Before the end of those nine months, you can apply for a further work permit to take your stay up to a total of three years.
This visa can be used as a step towards gaining residence in New Zealand through the Entrepreneur category.
Am I eligible?
In order to be able to apply for this visa, you need to:
- Be in good health and of good character
- Have a reasonable standard of the English language
- Have a sound business plan
- Have enough money aside from investment funds to support yourself and any partner or dependent children coming with you
After getting the first nine-month permit, you will need to meet some requirements in order to be granted a further permit. You will need to prove that you are making reasonable progress in setting up your business. This might include:
- A certificate of incorporation or other documents that provide evidence of the business’s constitution
- Audited accounts
- GST records
- Other tax records
- Documents showing property lease or purchase by the business
- Invoices for business equipment and supplies
- Other documents such as employment agreements, bank statements, invoices from phone and power companies
How do I apply?
The first step is to complete the application for Long Term Business Visa and Permit (NZIS 1058). You will need to submit this form along with the following documents:
- A satisfactory business plan and supporting documents
- Proof that you have enough money aside from investment funds to support yourself and any partner or children coming with you
- Evidence that you meet the English language requirements
- Evidence that you and your partner (if included in your application) meet the partnership requirements
- The correct application fee
For each person included in the application, you will need to provide:
- Two recent passport size photos
- A valid passport or certificate of identity
- A completed Medical and X-ray certificate (NZIS 1007)
- A police certificate less than six months old for each applicant over the age 17
- A full birth certificate for each dependent child
If you are submitting your application from outside New Zealand, you will need to find out where to send your application
