What are the steps to obtain FSP registration in New Zealand?

Published:
July 19, 2025
What are the steps to obtain FSP registration in New Zealand?

An organization may enroll as a financial services provider under the Financial Services Providers (Registration and Dissolution Act 2008 (‘Act’). This indicates that the Ministry of Economic Development registers the organization to offer commercial services.

When your enterprise secures enrolment as a FSP, you may be permitted to handle such monetary operations: broking service, financial adviser service, keep, investing, administering, managing money and so on.

If you are curious about obtaining FSP enrolment in New Zealand – you have come to the proper place!

Compulsory obligations to secure FSP license in New Zealand

This is what you have to bear in mind:

  • Concise business plan demonstrating that your firm is servicing both local and foreign clients;
  • It is necessary to begin your FSP enterprise within three months after obtaining license;
  • It is necessary to set up an office in a country and hire workers;
  • You have to assign minimum one director who lives here;
  • You must have a full AML/CFT manual and submit AML/CFT Act 2009 Report;
  • Your website has to present compliance with rules of the financial operation you’ve submitted; your FSP is operating from New Zealand; you serve locals and foreign customers.

The process of getting FSP license in New Zealand

Here are the steps you must complete:

  1. Legal opinion: it is highly recommended to consult a legal team to determine whether your business activity is obliged for enrolment;
  2. Company enrolment: After receiving KYC papers, your limited liability organization will be incorporated with the local Register;
  3. Arrangement: ensure that your firm meets all the obligations for enrolment. Some of the mandatory obligations include having a local office, full AML/CFT program and an operational and compliant website;
  4. Securing enrolment: once the above is completed, you must submit a quality application to FMA;
  5. Bank account creation: you have to choose the preferred bank and open a bank account;
  6. Commencement of business: you are obliged to begin your FSP enterprise within 90 days upon protecting enrolment.

Obligatory papers:

  • Organizational chart
  • Detailed business plan with three-year monetary projections
  • Internal procedures Manual
  • AML/CFT Procedures Manual

The benefits are that you do not need to deposit a minimum capital and your firm will have full access to every conventional commercial institution while maintaining recognition as an authorized onshore commercial institution.

Does your enterprise need a FSP license?

In case your enterprise is located in a country or offers commercial services regionally and around the world, you are obliged to enroll your enterprise as a FSP.

It is not mandatory to register an enterprise as FSP when you don’t plan to offer commercial services from a country, have a state as a targeted market, or set up a working place here.

Tax implications when securing a FSP in New Zealand

Every enterprise must pay a CIT (28%). Foreign firms will only be taxed on revenue coming from entity operations inside the state. Moreover, enterprises are obliged to submit yearly financial statements adhered to local accounting principles and are inspected by an authorized person.

Additionally, the FSP of a country is obliged to submit a yearly corroboration with the register and pay an annual renewal fee.

Conclusion

After all, a FSP license permits providers to offer commercial services lawfully. By thoroughly abiding all the stages of a FSP licensing, and complying with all rules of the New Zealand, you will be able to secure a license successfully.

Table of contents

Related insights

FINTRAC releases new information-sharing guidance for reporting entities

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada has published updated guidance on exchange of personal material between informing entities. This material sets out procedure for entities that intend to voluntarily exchange data for purpose of combating money laundering and terrorist financing, in compliance with mandatory requirements for defense of personal data. New clarifications are...

How to Choose a Custodian: 7 Questions Every RIA Should Ask

For independent investment advisors, depositary is not ancillary service or technical detail. It is basic infrastructure of business. Client assets, transactions, reports, cash flows and most of operational load pass through depositary. A mistake in choosing such partner is costly – in terms of money, time and reputation. In practice, many consultants choose depositary by...

Choosing the Right Custodian for Your Firm

Choosing reliable custodian and related services is key element of corporate financial accounting and securities servicing infrastructure. Choosing wrong depositary partner can lead to delays in operations, errors in reporting, reduced investor confidence and increased operational risks. In today’s environment, companies are faced with wide range of custodians and services, which requires systematic approach to...

Shelf companies in the UK: potential risks and benefits

Term “ready-made company” refers to firm that is already already recorded with Companies House, has not been actively trading prior to sale, and is formally considered “empty”. Such firm has legal existence, registration number and date of incorporation, but, according to supplier’s assurances, has no trading register, obligations or accounts. After acquisition, new owner receives...

FCA annual work programme 2025/26

Financial Conduct Authority’s annual work programme sets out the regulator’s priorities for the planned period and serves as a guide for financial market participants, government agencies and other interested parties. The programme links FCA’s strategy to specific actions that the regulator intends to implement over the coming period and reflects a combination of tasks aimed...

Opening accounts for UK entities with non-UK UBOs: what really moves the needle

Setting up firm in UK in 2026 remains accessible to non-residents: legal regulations do not prohibit foreigners from registering legal entity here. However, existence of firm itself and opening bank account are two different processes. While organizations registration is highly standardized, banking practices for legal entities with non-British ultimate beneficial owners present practical barriers and...

The Retail Payment Activities Act: the changing regulatory landscape for Canadian MSBs

The landscape of monetary restriction in Canada has experienced a significant transformation with the introduction of the Retail Payment Activities Act (RPAA). For money services firms (MSBs) operating in the country, this act represents a paradigm shift in how remittances are regulated and how MSBs must conduct their activities. Understanding the nuances of the RPAA...
Prev
Next

Feel free to contact us

Send your request for any info