Relocating Business to NZ in Later Years

I wondered if anyone had any info regarding the possibility of my moving my business to NZ in the future? I run a couple of fairly sucessful websites and we were originally intending to move to NZ from England a couple of years ago. Unfortunately my father died and we ended up moving back to Wales to be near my mother. We still hope to move to NZ eventuually but it looks like it will be a long time coming and we'll probably be in our fifties by then, but on the plus side the business should be doing really well and we don't ever intend actually retiring as such - work's too much fun and fairly easy.

I looked at the government site but couldn't really see anything that leapt out as particularly informative for someone in my position.

Any feedback would be welcome.

Hi Michele,
I would expect the only option open to you would be the Long Term Business Visa. The only drawback to this is that you have to benefit the NZ economy in some way, which usually involves employing 2 or 3 people. It's also quite an expensive and complicated route. I doubt that websites (if thats the only way the business operates) would be acceptable, but I really couldnt say for sure.

What category did you originally intend to go by?

Michele,

There are a couple of additional visa avenues that might appeal. First is for employees of relocating businesses, the second for 'business investors'. Alternatively, there is the long term business visa (LTBV).

You can only apply for the business relocation visa if you are not elligible for any other visa category... but if you can apply it would allow you to live in NZ whilst you relocate the business... Note that you wont get far without the support and approval of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise... and the stats show that they dont issue many of these at all.

We're currently working our way through a business investor visa which gives you the freedom to do what you want in NZ - you will need 'senior business experience' (or ownership of a business) plus suitable funds (not as much as you might think - if you can find enough points for business experience).

I would suggest the LTBV should be your last resort... it sets the bar quite high in terms of the required paperwork AND most importantly you have to follow your approved business plan and demonstrate at the end of the period that you have been 'successful'. Only when you have done this can you then apply for an Entrepreneurs visa which will eventually give you the Residency you desire. Very long winded - but in place for obvious reasons.

All of the business visas cost more than the 'normal' migrant visas but not much more... I believe they give far more flexibility particularly if you want to run your own business.

Alan.