[Bobbysox]

Hello there. Thought I would share with you our experiences with applying for a Long Term Business Visa.

Thanks for all your posts over the past few years, even though we've not contributed before, we have been reading everything and your experiences have helped to convince us that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

We have been trying to move to NZ for a few years now but did not qualify on the skilled migrant category, and so tried to apply direct for a job in the occupation I am in at the moment, but again not being in NZ went against me.
So we decided to find another way. We searched the internet for a small business for sale on "trademe" and "businessesforsale . com" and found one in Jan 2007 that seemed to suit us. We contacted the owner and got on well with her, then in June we went out to NZ for a month and visited the business and came to an arrangement that if we were able to get a visa we would like to buy her business. We visited banks, chamber of commerce etc while we were there to build up our knowledge of the local business environment and also visited all the local competition, for a bit of a check on what products they stocked and at what price.
On returning to UK we took the descision that it was the business for us and so thats when the paperwork started. Filling in the immigration form was simple enough, but the boxes did not really allow us to explain who we were and what we intended to do. So we wrote a 5 page business plan and then added spreadsheets for the financial side of things. Along with a lot of other documentary evidence regarding our research, background etc. Then at the start of October we DHL'd it all to the Immigration NZ Business Migration Branch in Wellington for their consideration.In thirty-four days we had got an answer............ and it was a YES ......we had got our visa. So they can work fast sometimes!

So house is on the market and NZ here we come !!!!!!!

The moral of this tale is that if you want to go this route to NZ do as much research as you possibly can and get the contact details of the people who you have given you business advice in NZ. Also we have managed to do this with no relevant business management experience in the type of business we are buying, so don't be put off by the line on the official paperwork that says you need two years experience, because we have proved you don't !!!!

Anyway if anyone on the Hauraki Plains wants any plants etc for their garden from early next year you know who to contact.

Thanks again... Rob and Karen
UK:exit NZ

[Lara Croft]

Well done Rob and Karen!
It's good to hear that there are other ways into NZ... always good to have a backup plan methinks....

Jane

[Nick88]

Thank you for one of the best post I have read here! It has answered alot of questions I have had swilling around in my thick skull for the last couple of years. The question about the relevant experience was extremely heartening.

[Bobbysox]

:D Thanks for your comments Jane and Nick, it's been a lot of work to get to this point (and a lot of money) but we think it's time and effort well spent. Well we do now. At one point we did not seem to be progressing but then suddenly it all fell into place. Just got the house here advertised for sale, and the guys are coming from the removals firms in two weeks to estimate/count all our belongings for the long journey.
We have found that all our friends who were willing us on to succeed have suddenly decided they don't want us to go! Better get the guest room sorted out as soon as we get there then, we've already got bookings for Christmas 2008 and 2009!
Better go and sort through some more of our stuff for the charity shops, ebay, the skip and friends though not neccessarily in that order.

[Nick88]

I have just tried to PM you Rob & Karen but unfortunately it couldn't go through. I think it must be because your post total is under 6, the minimum for PMs. If you would like to converse you might have to post a few short notes.

I'm dying to have a private chat.

[Bobbysox]

Nick
will do that

[Bobbysox]

and again

[Bobbysox]

and again.......have to wait 30 seconds between posts it seems

[Bobbysox]

so hopefully now it will let you PM me as my total should now be 6

[Bobbysox]

Nick
Just read the rules and "It may take up to one hour after you have made your fifth post before you will be able to access private messaging." so we will wait and see.

[Nick88]

Wonderful, thanks Rob & Karen. You have a PM.

[ourquest]

Great news about the success of your LTBV application. Now I guess the hard work begins to make your business contribute to NZ. But so much better than sitting in paid employment which you don't enjoy...

[draper34]

I would like to thank you for your thread it has given us hope that we can set up the business we would like to in NZ, we are visiting in Feb'08 Dunedin are. Thank you for the information it is of great help.
Good luck with your business I hope it is all you hope it will be and more
Thank you Jane and Martin

[Nick88]

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of business are you thinking of setting up, Draper34? Why Dunedin, of all places?

[Bobbysox]

Thanks Ourquest for your kind thoughts, there will be lots of hard graft to put in, but, as you say it's better when you are doing it for yourself. We do actually enjoy our current jobs, this will be a total change for both of us, and we can't wait. Draper34 your good wishes are appreciated too. Just hold onto the thought that you can do it. Make sure your business plan is as thorough as you can possibly make it, research is vital, preferably whilst visiting NZ.
Our house is on the market and already had some viewings and all things are looking good this end.
Will keep everyone posted as to our progress.

Rob and Karen
UK:exit NZ

[draper34]

Hello Nick88
When we visit in February, we will be looking into Canterbury/Christchurch and Dunedin Area (family in dunedin area), and the business would be Dog Grooming and to build on this, either to set up from scratch or possibly buy and existing business.
We will be doing as much homework from UK as possible and then follow that up with the visit to NZ to collate more information. Bobbysox - it would be great to hear how it all goes.
Jane and Martin

[Nick88]

Have you seen these?

http://www.realestate.co.nz/612495

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farming-industry/Businesses-for-sale/Services/auction-126253678.htm

[draper34]

Thanks Nick88, we have already request info re Mudpuppy and they arrived yesterday via email.
Jane/Martin

[Bobbysox]

Thought I had better update everyone with what has been going on.

Well I suppose we had better begin with the email from Immigration NZ on 5th November stating we had got our Long Term Business Visa, without any further question re our business plan, so I must have got it right after all. All they wanted was us to courier our passports to Wellington for our visas to be added. This was a bit scary but they were back in our hands complete with blue stickers within 10days. Not bad....
Well the house went on the market the same week and within 2 days we had had an offer from a cash buyer, we of course rejected it as it was a bit low, but he really wanted it and within a week his revised offer was just below the asking price, so we accepted. Then we booked the container, via Anglo Pacific, and that was delivered on 21st January and sailed from Southampton on 28th Jan, we left our house on 25th Jan and moved in with friends, thanks Dave, Jemma and Steve, before flying out from Heathrow on 6th Feb arriving very tired in Auckland early hours of 8th. Yipppppeeeeee we'd made it.:clap
After a few days of rest and relaxation at a friends house in Orewa and several bottles of Speights Distinction later we went house hunting near to our new workplace in Ngatea. We looked round a house in Waitakaruru on 15th Feb, really liked it as it's on 1/4 acre site with the rear deck looking over paddocks to the sea and the front looking over yet more paddocks. We did the paperwork and moved in on 29th Feb....... yes it is possible to buy a house in 2 weeks..... Well we moved in with some borrowed furniture awaiting our container which finally arrived after MAF had inspected our belongings at the removal company depot in Auckland (this was compulsory as we were moving to a rural area.. it cost more of course !!) on 18th March.

The business deal was done at the same time and we acually took it over on 17th March and have been busy trading since then.

Anyone can do it, just keep positive and remember it REALLY will be worth all the hard work.
We don't regret a bit of it, we have been made to feel so welcome here it's simply fantastic.
Wishing all of you all the best with your endeavours, if you want to know more just ask
Rob and Karen UK:exitNZ

[JandM]

Congratulations! :raebanana :cheers :raebanana

[smitjo]

That is fantastic news and really made me feel positive! We have already got our PR but my folks are also wanting to come over but would struggle on the skilled migrant category. My Dad has been a farmer all his life and have decided that they would come over (on a 6/9 month visitor visa) and find a farm and then apply down the business route sector - whilst in NZ. Your story has made me feel so happy as we have been really worried. Thanks so very, very much. I know it is going to be a great deal of work but we are going to put everything into it in order to make it a success and get my folks to NZ!!!!!!!!!

[dusk]

Glad to here things have gone so smoothly for you and best of luck with the business and your new life! :)

[veronica]

we too came over on the LTBV and found it pretty straightforward. its not the easiest option but if you can't get in on the normal route its worth trying.
Smitjo, if you dad is in farming I shouldn't think he would have any probs.

[Bobbysox]

Thanks for your good wishes J&M, Dusk, Veronica and Smitjo, the whole purpose of putting our story on this forum was to show how it is possible to get to NZ by other ways than just the "normal" skilled migrant category. If we can help anyone at any time we will endeavor to do so, it's our pleasure.
Good luck to all and keep us informed as to your progress. It may help someone else who is thinking there is no way that they can achieve their dream.
Rob and Karen (Gravesend UK :exit Waitakaruru NZ)