Upon two years of successful self-employment in a business on an open work visa or in a business approved under the LTBV category, an application for residence may be lodged under the Entrepreneur category.

Applicants must provide sufficient evidence that they have successfully established a business in New Zealand, that they have been self employed in that business for a minimum of at least 2 years and added value to an existing business.

In addition, evidence that the business is beneficial to New Zealand need to be submitted within the application.

Certain other criteria are also required to be met.