Hon Michael Woodhouse
Minister of Immigration

29 April 2016
Media Statement

New visa to attract entrepreneurs to NZ

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse welcomes a new Global Impact Visa (GIVs) designed to bring innovative, global entrepreneurs to New Zealand.

“Last year the Government committed to considering a new Global Impact Visa to cater for high-impact entrepreneurs, investors and start-up teams to launch global ventures from New Zealand,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“Today’s announcement delivers on that commitment and will attract younger, highly talented, successful and well-connected entrepreneurs who are at the start of their entrepreneurial career and able to establish their ventures in New Zealand.

“GIVs will help meet the Government’s Business Growth Agenda’s innovation and investment objectives by lifting innovation in New Zealand.

“It will also help expand the pool of smart capital by attracting individual investors and entrepreneurs to live here in New Zealand.

“The successful implementation of GIVs will create new jobs through the establishment of new ventures, attraction of smart capital and access to global networks.”

GIVs will initially run as a four-year pilot, and be limited to 400 visas over the duration of the pilot.

The policy will be delivered by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) in partnership with the private sector. The private sector partner will be selected through an open procurement process and will manage the attraction, selection and integration of the migrant entrepreneurs in New Zealand.

The procurement process for selecting the private partner is due to begin next month.

ENDS

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