Sole Trader - Work VIsa

[Thomas1506]

Hi,
I am a qualified IT professional studied an IT course from Hamilton. I am currently in my post study Job serch visa(open work visa). I am planning to start a webdesigning company here. Will i get a work visa after my open work visa expiries .Otherwise my all investment will be in a vein. Thanks

[JandM]

Work visas are for employees. See the conditions mentioned on the INZ website. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra.../requirements/

If you want to be self-employed, you need a different kind of visa - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/invest/ - and even then, that wouldn't work for a sole trader.

You could become an employee long enough to gain Residence. Once you are a resident, you would have the right to be a sole trader.

[Thomas1506]

Thanks for your kind reply . So i am not allowed to start a business here in an open work visa .right ? Am i allowed to start a business with a NZ resident ?

[JandM]

Yes, you're allowed to start a business on an open work visa, but you can't run it after that visa comes to an end.

If by any chance you were to have a partner - as in, life partner - who was a NZ citizen or resident, that person could sponsor you for a partner-sponsored temporary work visa http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...milystream.htm, which is an open visa also, and that would allow you to run your business. A partner can sponsor you for Residence in due course, too, after you have lived together for 12 months.