Visas & Advice Detail
Which NZ visa is right for you?
Answering Hanna Lindon and NZ immigration adviser Borey Chum's questions could lead you along the right visa pathway.
1. Which of the following best describes your emigration intentions?
a) You want to emigrate to New Zealand and start up a business or invest in the country (go to question 2)
b) You want to live and work in New Zealand (go to question 3)
c) You have family in New Zealand and which to be reunited with them? (go to question 4)
2. Do you possess relevant business experience, have sufficient funds to establish your proposed business, and are you prepared to draw up a business plan?
a) Yes (go to answer A)
b) No (go to question 5)
c) I have answered this question before (go to answer C)
3. Are you 55 years old or younger?
a) Yes (go to question 6)
b) No (go to question 7)
c) I have answered this question before (go to answer C)
4. Are you in a stable relationship with a NZ citizen or resident, and have been living with them for 12 months or more?
a) Yes (go to answer D)
b) No (go to question 7)
c I have answered this question before (go to answer C)
5. Have you got at least NZ$2.5 million to invest in New Zealand, plus at least NZ$1 million in settlement funds?
a) Yes (go to answer B)
b) No (Go to question 3)
6. Do you score more than 100 points on the INZ Expression of Interest (EoI) test (see box)
a) Yes (go to question 8)
b) No (go to question 9)
7. Do you have more independent children living in New Zealand than in any other country?
a) Yes (go to answer E)
b) No (go to question 10)
8. Are you in good health?
a) Yes (go to answer F)
b) No (go to answer C)
9. Do you have a job offer in New Zealand?
a) Yes (go to answer G)
b) No (go to question 4)
10. Are you under 55 years old and have a parent or sibling residing in New Zealand as well as no other immediate family in the UK?
a) Yes (go to answer H)
b) No (go to question 2)
c) I have answered this question before (go to answer C)
Answers:
A. You may be able to apply for a Long Term Business Visa. This category allows applicants to purchase a business in New Zealand. It is a temporary visa and applicants can later apply for residence under the Entrepreneur Category.
B. There are several investment categories you might qualify for, including the Global Investor Category, the Professional Investor Category and the General (Active) Investor Category. The latter is most common, and applies to migrants investing a minimum of NZ$2.5 million in New Zealand.
C. At present you may not qualify under any existing New Zealand visa category. Consider applying for a temporary visa or seeking further advice.
D. The Partner Category enables partners of NZ citizens and residents to apply for residence. You may be eligible to apply under this category.
E. You may be able to apply under the Parent Category, which allows parents (and in some cases grandparents and legal guardians) to join their children in NZ. It relies on your being sponsored by an eligible person.
F. You should consider applying under the Skilled Migrant Category, which enables skilled applicants to apply for residency. Factors that can boost the likelihood of your obtaining a visa include having a job offer in New Zealand, your work experience, age and qualifications.
G. Applicants who have a proven talent, an offer of employment from an accredited employer or an offer of employment in an occupation on the Long Term Skills Shortage List may be eligible to apply under the Work to Residence Category.
H. Take a look at the Sibling/Adult Child Category, which enables siblings and adult children to join their family in New Zealand.
Borey Chum is the Principal/Migration Associate at Migration Associates Ltd. To find out more, visit: Migration Associates.
To find out about application procedures, click here
To find out about temporary visa options, click here
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