[tigerlily]

Can anyone tell me if I've got this right-

If I have enough points to qualify under the skilled migrant catagory, there is nothing to stop me from starting a business once I arrive, instead of actually getting a job? Is that correct? Since I plan to wait to go until I have PR? I understandably would not mention this to anyone who I was interviewing with at immigration. But is this something that people do, and in fact, get away with?

In my case, it's hubby's business. I'm home with the kids anyway. He could certainly work, but would rather do his own consulting business.

Ideas?

Thanks!

[veronica]

Yep you have it right, but even if you have to get a job offer for the first couple of months to get enough points you aren't committed on that for the long term. There is nothing to stop you leaving and starting your own business. A friend of ours in Chch is doing just that, but she is staying at the day job and starting to do her own business in the evening, once she is sure it will bring her in some income she intends to leave and just concentrate on her own stuff.

[tigerlily]

Veronica, I think that what your friend is doing is just what my husband would like to do. It seems odd to me still that they make it so hard to get in on the business visa for the PR. Since who wants to invest so much in a place that is not sure they want to keep you? And if perhaps, they did get a little better about encouraging businesses to move and settle there, they would get more jobs for the locals!

Since we are thinking about starting (or perhaps moving from the states) a business in a somewhat remote locale (Dunedin) I should think this would be just the sort of thing they would want to encourage! But that is not what I see, perhaps it will change.

[veronica]

Pete and I came over on the business visa but if you can get over on the skilled migrant one I would do that as you then have permanent residency straight away and don't have to fulfill any other criteria.