Skilled/Business Stream

The purpose of the Skilled/Business stream is to help talented and entrepreneurial migrants gain residence in New Zealand. The categories in this stream are the:

• Skilled Migrant Category
• Business Categories (Long term Business, Migrant investment, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur Plus, Employees of Relocating Businesses) and
• Residence from Work Categories (Talent (Accredited Employers), Talent (Arts, Culture, and Sports), and Long Term Skill Shortage List instructions)

For clients granted permanent residence under the Skilled/Business Stream the client has signed a Declaration of Personal Resources statement they have funds to support themselves and family (if any) for the first two years residence in New Zealand. Generally the client would have had a work/study visa for at least two years before permanent residence was granted.

Client granted permanent residence under the Skilled Migrant Category should already have had employment for their first year of residence in New Zealand.

Clients must have two years continuous residence in New Zealand to be entitled to Youth Payment. Until they have met this requirement Youth Payment on grounds of hardship may be considered.

Note if a client has permanent residence and already meets the two years continuous residence, assess the client for Youth Payment in usual manner.

Youth Payment on grounds of hardship is both income and asset tested. To assess a client's entitlement to Youth Payment on grounds of hardship confirmation of the client's income and assets declared on the application for permanent residence is required from the Immigration New Zealand.

If the client has a change in personal resources, confirmation of that change is required.

For more information see:

• Granting on grounds of hardship
• Change in personal resources