Hi,
I'm hoping somebody can suggest something, I think I fall through the cracks with NZ's visa system.
I'm a British guy currently on a 12 month working holiday visa where I've set up a NZ based company which I use to invoice a UK firm who I work for remotely while wandering around NZ. I could just as easily set up a UK based company if that helps, or potentially even be employed full time by the UK based company.
I'm in the middle of negotiating a contract between the UK firm that I work for and another NZ based firm where the NZ firm will sell the UK firm's software. I really need to be living in NZ for the first 6-12 months of that relationship to support the first few sales. So I'd get paid by the UK firm to support the NZ firm's expansion and deal this won't happen without me.
So what I've managed to work out so far:
- I need a work visa even though I'm paid by a UK firm remotely
- I can't get an essential skills work visa since I won't be employed by a NZ company
- I can't extend my working holiday visa (It's limited to 12 months working in 23 months)
- The business visitor visa only lasts for 3 months which isn't long enough
- I won't be employing anybody directly in NZ so the entrepreneurs visa is out
Which I think leaves a Specific Purpose Work Visa which I've not been able to find much information about.
Questions
1. Is it a realistic option? Not many people seem to apply.
2. Does it matter that I wouldn't be paid by the NZ firm directly?
3. Is it a problem that it wouldn't officially be a secondment? Or could I "second" myself from my own UK firm?
4. What kind of documentation would I need to support it? I could always get it written into the contract.
5. Are there any other options?
6. Can I apply already in NZ? I know it looks a bit suspicious but I really am planning to go back to the UK after I'm finished.
Any help you can give would be very gratefully received!