New Zealand's Business Migration History

New Zealand has always been a migrant country. It's past, present and future have been politically and economically shaped by migrants.

For some time, successive New Zealand governments gained significant votes from trying to stem migration and restrict investment. This has caused a reversal of migration and an outflow of skills, capital and labour. Recognizing this, the current Government have attempted to encourage migration by making it easier to invest and do business in New Zealand.

As we can see over the course of New Zealand's business migration history, the industries that have developed and blossomed have changed over time. The New Zealand government's primary concern is that new business migrants will engage in businesses that benefit New Zealand.

This means that business ideas and business plans need to address in detail how an operation will benefit New Zealand. Before addressing this issue in detail we will look at the general framework for the Long Term Business category.

LONG TERM BUSINESS CATEGORY

General Criteria

Before contemplating whether to make an application under this category, an applicant should look at whether they meet the general criteria for business migration.

These requirements can be briefly summarized as below:

- Being of Good Character - An applicant should ideally have no criminal convictions or only minor convictions if they are to meet Immigration criteria [although there are provisions to have these requirements waived].

- Being of Good Health - An applicant should not have medical conditions that will place an undue burden on New Zealand's health system [although there are provisions to have these requirements waived].

- Having the requisite level of English - note this varies depending on the category but generally level 4 IELTS will suffice which is quite easy to obtain. This can in some cases be avoided if the principal applicant can demonstrate that they have an English-speaking background, or qualifications obtained in English - (it is also to be noted that family can pre-purchase English lessons to meet criteria). In reality very few applicants explore this option whereas the exceptions to the IELTS score requirement are actually very wide and should be explored in depth.

Business immigration criteria are necessarily complex and before a migrant applies for business migration it is strongly advised that they seek the advice of a suitably qualified professional. One thing is clear, New Zealand needs new business investment and the National government has stated that it will welcome investors in the business and entrepreneur categories. There is no time like now to apply for business migration to New Zealand.

Visit www.nzaeic.co.nz for Long Term Business Visa in Skilled Migrant Category.