Entrepreneur Work Visa regional bonus increased from 20 to 40 points

Policy effect

From November 1, 2015, Entrepreneur Work Visa applicants intending to establish a business outside Auckland could receive 40 regional bonus points, increased from 20. This is the Entrepreneur Work Visa points change, separate from the Skilled Migrant Category employment bonus in the same circular.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

… ork Visa Category:  Increased points available to SMC applicants with a job offer outside of Auckland from 10 to 30  Requirement that SMC migrants who have been in a job for less than three months and were awarded bonus points for a job offer outside of Auckland remain employed outside of Auckland for 12 months  Increased points available to Entrepreneur Work Visa applicants who intend to establish a business outside of Auckland from 20 to 40. BB2.1 - Entrepreneur Work Visas BB3.1 - Summary of requirements for the grant of an Entrepreneur Work Visa BB3.5 - Requirement for capital investment … 0 Points for unique or new products or services to New Zealand A credible business proposal that provides unique or new products/ services to New Zealand, or to a particular region. 30 Points for capital investment $1,000,000 + 80 $750,000 + 60 $500,000 + 50 $400,000 + 30 $300,000 + 20 13 $200,000 + 10 under $200,000 0 Points for age of prospective applicant (at date of lodging application) 24 and under 15 25-29 20 30-39 20 40-49 20 50-59 10 60 and over 0 Bonus points Business based outside Auckland as defined in BB6.1.35. 40 Note: For definitions of terms for the purposes of the Entrepreneur … 16 October 2015 IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND INSTRUCTIONS: Amendment Circular No. 2015/08 To: All Manual Holders AMENDMENTS TO THE IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND OPERATIONAL MANUAL Introduction This circular outlines changes to immigration instructions. A copy of the amended instructions is attached. All immigration officers dealing with immigration applications should read the amendments and operate in accordance with the amended instructions on and after 1 November 2015. Note The amendments described in this circular will be published in the Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual in due course. Any … enquiries about these amendments should be directed to the Immigration Contact Centre on 0508 558 855 or 09 914 4100 (Auckland only). Changes to immigration instructions effective on and after 1 November 2015 BB3.10 - Points scale for an Entrepreneur Work Visa SM4.30 - Resident visa subject to conditions SM6 - Summary of points for employability and capacity building factors SM9.5 - Bonus points for employment outside the Auckland region To help maximise the contribution of immigration to the regions, the following changes have been made to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and Entrepreneur W … submitted A13.1 - The form in which documents must be submitted Removed requirement for copied documents to be provided in colour. WK2.10 Determining the availability of New Zealand citizens or residents Removed expired Queenstown labour market test instructions. WI13 China Skilled Workers Instructions Removed note referring to validity of listed occupations. 2 APPENDIX 1: AMENDED IMMIGRATION INSTRUCTIONS EFFECTIVE ON AND AFTER 1 November 2015 3 BH2.1 Successful establishment and operation of a business that benefits New Zealand significantly Principal applicants in the Entrepreneur Residence …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2015

• 2015-03-27Standardized Definitions for Essential Skills Labour Market Test and Skill Level 5 Rule
• 2015-05-08Immigration Amendment Act (No. 2)
• 2015-08-06A designated person must not enter New Zealand or transit through New Zealand.
• 2015-11-01Skilled Migrant Category Bonus Points Increase for Regional Employment Outside Auckland
• 2015-11-03Character exception for qualifying Filipino dairy workers with earlier false visa evidence
• 2015-12-07Joint declaration permitted as partnership evidence for a partner included in a visitor visa application
• 2015-12-07Pathway Student Visa pilot launched for consecutive study programmes
• 2015-12-07Recognised Seasonal Employers required to provide access to lawful remittance services
• 2015-12-07Refugee Family Support Category sponsorship extended to qualifying Afghan interpreters and accompanying family
• 2015-12-07Student visa provision for multiple short-term English language programmes
• 2015-12-20Korea Working Holiday Scheme annual places increased from 1,800 to 3,000
• 2015-12-20Korea Working Holiday Scheme three-month limit with one employer removed
• 2015-12-20Republic of Korea added to the Primary Sector Trainees route with 50 places
• 2015-12-20Special work route introduced for qualifying Korean citizens in specified occupations