[rizjunior]

Can a skilled immigrant with either PR or WTR visa be self employed or start his own business rather than taking employment?

[ourquest]

Can a skilled immigrant with either PR or WTR visa be self employed or start his own business rather than taking employment?

I think yes if you obtain PR without any need for a job offer, but no in the case of wtr as this requires you to obtain employment to fulfil the conditions of entry. The LTBV (long term business visa) is specifically designed for those wanting to migrate as business owners/self employed.

[Nick88]

I agree. Once you have PR you can do whatever you like. If you use WTR you have more restrictions, and have to keep a job for the duration.

[Potato]

I am fairly sure that "self employment does not count as skilled employment". So if you are claiming points for planned self employment in NZ- then you cannot do that.

[rizjunior]

Its not for claiming points, its rather for second stage after landing there. All I meant is that once someone is in NZ on either PR or WTR, can he be self-employed or register a company and be an employee of its own company?

[Nick88]

Surely WTR is an application process to get PR? Until you get PR you cannot be self employed if you are using the WTR route. Once you have PR you can please yourself.

If I read this right you are thinking of setting up a limited company and using that to employ yourself for the WTR. If the WTR rules say no self employment, then I think the NZIS will be bright enough to spot what you have done. Put it this way, is it worth the risk?

[rizjunior]

WTR as I understood is WORK TO RESIDE visa, work could be by another employer or by being self-employed. It does not say Employment To Reside visa.

I am not after this option for immigration purpose, its been a long time I worked for any company, mostly my own work, so getting back to employment.............YA HOL

[Jamie Smith]

WTR as I understood is WORK TO RESIDE visa, work could be by another employer or by being self-employed. It does not say Employment To Reside visa.

I am not after this option for immigration purpose, its been a long time I worked for any company, mostly my own work, so getting back to employment.............YA HOL


The online manual on the NZIS website specifically defines employment as not being self employed.

In Australia, yes, it is possible to self sponsor through a company, they have defined a company as being separate legal entity to the self (which they are), but NZIS specifically says that owning the business where you work is self employment, not employment.

I would map it out carefully and get some professional advice.

[rizjunior]

Thanks, it helped.

What kind of company can offer a job, does a newly registered company by a kiwi citizen can offer job? or is there any criteria for that?.