New Zealand’s Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman has confirmed several changes to the country’s business migration policies, designed to build on recent success in attracting over half a billion dollars worth of new investment. The changes include:
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Lower residence requirements for Investor Plus migrants during the 3 year investment period.
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Expanded opportunities for investment, including bank bonds and equities.
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More flexibility regarding the business experience requirement. Applicants will only need to meet one of the following criteria – to have owned or managed a business with five full time employees or to have owned or managed a business with a minimum $1m in annual turnover.
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Migrants will be allowed to transfer funds through foreign exchange companies.
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Residential property is to be included as an acceptable investment.
‘’We launched our business migrant package 19 months ago and the take-up rate has been incredibly encouraging. It’s attracted $562 million in potential investment which shows the package is very appealing to business migrants,’’ Dr Coleman says. “The Government’s scheme makes it easier for people to invest money in New Zealand without compromising the security and integrity of the immigration system”.