New Zealand has developed a positive reputation for its business landscape and quality of life, making it an attractive investment option to business people around the world. Investing in NZ can lead to a wide array of exciting opportunities, including gaining permanent residence in the country.
Are you considering an Investor Visa in NZ but aren't sure if it’s worth it? Explore the benefits of investing in NZ below.
Investing in New Zealand can be a great pathway to residency. As one of the most beautiful and peaceful countries in the world, gaining permanent residency in the country is certainly worthwhile.
Living in New Zealand as a permanent resident brings many privileges to families, including access to education, voting rights, the ability to purchase property, work and much more.
Two types of Investor Visas in NZ can lead to residence:
Gaining residency from an NZ Investor Visa can be a complex and challenging process, and you must meet a wide range of requirements. We recommend getting in touch with an NZ immigration adviser at Malcolm Pacific Immigration for assistance.
New Zealand provides a wide range of exciting investment opportunities to experienced business people across the world. All applicants must meet the acceptable investment criteria to be granted an Investor Visa.
So, what counts as ‘acceptable investment criteria?’ From equity in NZ firms, residential property development, and business ownership through to philanthropic investments, you have many different options for investing funds in New Zealand. Bonds issued by the NZ Government, local authorities, registered NZ banks, or finance companies are also considered acceptable investments, among others.
New Zealand is one of the best countries to start or run a business. According to the IFC World Bank ‘Doing Business Report’, it was ranked globally as the top country for ease of doing business in 2020.
New Zealand is a business-friendly country, making it easier for entrepreneurs to start businesses and meet the Government requirements to operate them. Economic freedom is an important philosophy in New Zealand. Investors and entrepreneurs can feel secure and confident when choosing to invest or start a business in the country. There is a wide range of exciting start ups looking for investment to get started or grow. It is important to take investment advice from reputable advisers available at registered NZ banks, licensed financial advice firms, chartered accountants or lawyers.
Getting involved in a corrupt system is the last thing any investor wants. Unlike many countries, New Zealand is known for its transparency in the public sector. It is viewed as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, making it a safe investment option for experienced business people. As Beehive reported earlier this year, New Zealand currently holds the top spot in global anti-corruption rankings.
The Investor Visa in NZ is indeed worth pursuing if you have the acceptable funds and meet the requirements. However, the Investor Visa has a high failure rate plus there are proposed changes to the current rules on the horizon. It is important to get all the assistance you need from experienced licensed immigration advisers.
With one of the most skilled Investor Visa teams in the country, Malcolm Pacific Immigration can assist you with every step of the application process and beyond. Get in touch with our specialist Investor Visa team today to find out your eligibility.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our team is on standby, ready to help.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our employer team is on standby, ready to help.
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Today the government announced a pathway to residence for migrant workers who are living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave who are eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else they will miss out on this one off opportunity.
Today the government announced a pathway to residence for people living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else you miss the boat.
The government has moved the introduction of the new employer accreditation process across to mid-2022. At the same time, the Minister of Immigration announced new work visa rules for migrant workers who are already in New Zealand and working full time.
The government has increased the median wage to $27 per hour from 19 July. Any Skilled Migrant residence application lodged after this date will need to include a skilled job offer that pays at least $27 per hour. For some lower-skilled occupations, the minimum pay rate increases to $40.50 per hour.
From 19 July 2021
From 30 June 2021
Employers of migrant workers must become accredited from 1 November 2021 before work visa applications can be processed. Most employers are not accredited. Those that are accredited will have to roll into the new system when it goes live in late September.
From mid-2020 (delayed)
Skilled occupation "Dairy Cattle Farmer" spilt into three occupations. New occupations are: "Dairy Farm Manager", "Assistant Dairy Farm Manager" and "Dairy Herd Manager". Each sit at different skill levels, therefore, the award of points will depend on pay rates, job tasks and other requirements.
From 15 February 2021
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool for six months (to be reviewed in April 2021). Invitations to Apply for Residence remain suspended. The last selection from the Skilled Migrant pool took place on 18/03/2020.
From 7 October 2020
The government added four new occupations that are now regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. These are:
Aged or disabled carer, Bicycle mechanic, Driller and Nursing Support worker.
From 27 July 2020
Anyone invited by Immigration NZ to apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category where their invitation is dated between 1 November 2019 and 15 April 2020 (inclusive) has now been granted an additional six months to lodge their residence application.
From 27 May 2020
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool. This means Invitations to Apply for Residence are also suspended. Malcolm Pacific Immigration does not anticipate selections to resume until after the general election held on 17 October 2020.
Immigration NZ is now prioritising Skilled Migrant Residence applications where the main (principal) applicant meets the criteria:
From 24 February 2020
From 7 October 2019
The government recently added more occupations that are now to be regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. In order to qualify for points, the job must be paying at least the current median wage (or higher for certain occupations) at the time the residence application is lodged.
From 1 November 2021
From 1 November 2021 anyone who is not a NZ citizen must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt) before travelling to New Zealand. Fully vaccinated means your last dose of vaccine was given at least 14 days before travelling and it was an approved vaccine.
Applications for employer accreditation closed at the end of June 2021. Applications lodged before the closure date are still being processed. New applications for accreditation open on 9 May 2022. The process will be quite different to what employers have experienced in the past. Businesses will need to meet minimum standards.
Wednesday, 1 December is fast approaching and it is estimated that around 16,000 individuals and families can apply in the first wave for the 2021 Resident Visa opening next month. It is exciting for the thousands of people who have been waiting patiently to become residents that finally the finish line is in sight.
The first wave of applicants can apply from 1 December 2021. Around 16,000 applications are expected in this first wave. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. In total, the government expects approximately 110,000 applications that will include about 165,000 people.
The second group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 March 2022 are those who hold an eligible work visa and either meet "Settled", "Skilled" or "Scarce" as set out above. In total Immigration NZ estimate around 110,000 people will qualify to apply for this visa.
The first group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 December 2021 are those that on 29/09/2021:
Is this the only requirement to qualify for residence? No. In addition to the eligible work visa criteria workers also need to be regarded as one of the following:
People who were lawfully in NZ (or in Australia when the travel bubble closed between April and July 2021) on 29/09/2021 need to meet the visa eligibility criteria:
The government has introduced a limited pathway to residence for people who are already living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave of people eligible to apply. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. The deadline to apply for the 2021 Resident Visa is 31 July 2022.
A small number of critical health workers (taking up jobs for six months or longer) or specialist workers (taking up jobs that are for longer than six months) who were granted border exemptions may also have eligibility for the 2021 Resident Visa. They will need to have arrived in NZ and lodge a 2021 Resident Visa application.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
The work visa categories set to close are:
From September 2022 people holding job offers in a small number of occupations may apply for residence. Some occupations are a direct pathway to residence and others require a period of two years or longer before applying.
There are qualification and/or occupational registration requirements to meet. Establishing if an overseas qualification matches the NZ equivalent qualification before applying is paramount for success.