New Zealand Business Investor Visa: Invest $1M–$2M for Fast-Track Residency

The New Zealand Government has closed the Entrepreneur Work Visa and introduced the Business Investor Visa, opening in November 2025.

Applicants can invest NZD $1M (3-year residence pathway) or NZD $2M (12-month fast-track) in an existing business.

This new visa aims to attract serious investors while boosting New Zealand’s economy and labor market.

This guide talks about all the essential information regarding the Business Investor Visa, such as eligibility, requirements, etc.

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La información contenida en este artículo es meramente orientativa. No constituye asesoramiento financiero, jurídico o fiscal, ni una recomendación o solicitud de inversión. Algunos hechos pueden haber cambiado desde el momento de su redacción.

What is the Business Investor Visa in New Zealand?

En Business Investor Visa NZ was designed to attract skilled investors who will actively contribute to the country’s economy through business ownership and management.

Applications for the Business Investor Work Visa opens in November 2025. The visa offers two investment options:

• NZD $1 million investment in an existing business, with a 3-year work-to-residence pathway
• NZD $2 million investment in an existing business, with a 12-month fast-track pathway to residence

Investors may either purchase a business outright or acquire at least 25% ownership, as long as they meet the required investment threshold.

Applicants can also include their partner and dependent children in the same application. Both pathways provide eligibility to later apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.

The visa may be granted for up to 4 years, with an application cost of NZD $12,380 (including both the fee and immigration levy).

This visa complements New Zealand’s Investor Visa Program, updated in April 2025.

And it forms a part of wider reforms to strengthen the country’s business immigration system, attract investment, and build global business connections.

New Zealand Business Investor Visa Requirements

To qualify for NZ Business Investor Work Visa, applicants must invest at least NZD $1 million, show NZD $500,000 in personal funds, be under 55 y/o, and meet other requirements.

Below is the full breakdown of eligibility criteria.

1. Minimum Investment Threshold

Applicants must commit either NZD $1 million (for the 3-year work-to-residence pathway) or NZD $2 million (for the 12-month fast-track pathway) into an existing New Zealand business.

This investment can be made by purchasing the entire business or by acquiring at least 25% ownership.

The government set these thresholds to filter serious investors who have the financial capacity to create a meaningful economic impact.

2. Personal Maintenance Funds

In addition to the investment, applicants are required to show proof of having at least NZD $500,000 in personal funds.

This money is intended to support the applicant and their family, if applicable, while they establish or run the business.

These funds cannot be part of the investment amount and must be accessible for living expenses such as housing, education, and day-to-day needs.

3. Age Requirement

Applicants must be 55 years of age or younger at the time of applying.

This age limit reflects New Zealand’s preference for business owners who are in their prime working years, with the energy, resilience, and long-term capacity to establish and grow their enterprises.

4. English Language Proficiency

A minimum IELTS score of 5.0, or an equivalent English test result, is required.

This ensures applicants have sufficient language skills to communicate effectively in the workplace, manage staff, comply with legal and financial regulations, and integrate into New Zealand society.

5. Health and Character Standards

As with all New Zealand visas, applicants must undergo medical and police checks to confirm they are in good health and of good character.

This requirement helps safeguard public health, maintain community safety, and preserve New Zealand’s reputation as a secure and transparent business environment.

6. Business Experience

Applicants must demonstrate relevant business experience, such as owning or managing companies, leading major projects, or holding senior executive roles.

The government requires this to reduce risk, as investors with proven track records are more likely to succeed in managing a business that benefits New Zealand’s economy.

7. Job Creation Requirement

The business being invested in must employ at least 5 full-time equivalent staff.

This rule is designed to ensure that investments not only provide financial capital but also generate jobs, support local communities, and strengthen New Zealand’s labor market.

Business Investment Restrictions

Certain business types are not eligible for investment under this visa, including:

• Drop-shipping operations
• Gambling ventures
• Manufacturing of tobacco, nicotine, or vaping products
• Adult entertainment businesses
• Convenience stores (e.g., corner dairies)
• Immigration advisory services or businesses involving Licensed Immigration Advisers (LIAs)
• Discount/value stores (e.g., $2 shops)
• Fast-food outlets
• Franchise operations
• Home-based businesses operating solely from a residential address

What is an Entrepreneur Visa in New Zealand?

The Entrepreneur Visa in New Zealand allowed foreign nationals to buy or establish a business in the country and later apply for residency through business success.

The Entrepreneur Work Visa – What It Was

The Entrepreneur Work Visa was designed for individuals who wanted to buy or establish a business in New Zealand.

Applicants could initially be granted a visa for up to 3 years, a 12-month startup phase to get the business running, followed by a 24-month balance period if progress was shown.

The goal was to attract business-minded migrants who could contribute to the local economy, create jobs, and foster innovation.

The Entrepreneur Resident Visa – The Next Step

Once an applicant successfully ran their business in New Zealand under the Entrepreneur Work Visa, they could apply for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa.

This was the pathway to permanent residence. Generally, residence was granted if the business had been running successfully for at least 2 years.

In some cases, applicants could apply after 6 months if they invested at least NZD $500,000 and created 3 or more full-time jobs.

Why the Category Was Closed

The New Zealand Government decided to close the Entrepreneur Category due to several challenges:

• Low success rates: Many applicants struggled to establish viable, long-term businesses.
• Compliance issues: Some businesses were set up only to meet visa conditions without providing real economic value.
• Limited economic impact: The scheme was not attracting the scale of investment or job creation that New Zealand needed.
• Administrative complexity: Managing, assessing, and monitoring these applications proved difficult for immigration authorities.

What Happens Now?

• New Applications: The Entrepreneur Work Visa is no longer open for new applicants.
• Pending Applications: If you already applied before the closure, your application will still be assessed under the rules that were in place at the time. However, withdrawing an application means no refund of fees or levies.
• Existing Holders: Those already holding an Entrepreneur Work Visa can still apply for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa to transition to residence. If extra time is needed, a renewal of the Entrepreneur Work Visa can be applied for.
• Future Pathway: From November 2025, the Business Investor Visa replaces this category, focusing on investors with higher capital, proven business experience, and a stronger commitment to job creation.

What is the New Zealand Active Investor Plus visa?

The Active Investor Plus Visa is designed for migrants who are able to make significant investments in New Zealand. Applicants must invest a minimum of:

• NZD $5 million in the Growth category, held for at least 3 years, or
• NZD $10 million in the Balanced category, held for at least 5 years.

All investments must meet New Zealand’s criteria for acceptable investments within the chosen category.

Growth Category:

This category focuses on higher-risk, high-value investments that directly support New Zealand businesses. Acceptable options include:

• Managed funds
• Direct investments into New Zealand companies

Balanced Category:

This category allows for a mix of investment types, including lower-risk options. Acceptable investments may include:

• Direct investments
• Managed funds
• Listed equities
• Philanthropic contributions
• Bonds
• Property developments (such as new residential, commercial, or industrial projects, as well as existing commercial and industrial developments)

Family Inclusion

Applicants can include their partner and dependent children in the visa application, allowing the whole family to benefit from New Zealand residency opportunities.

Active Investor Plus Visa vs Business Investor Visa

Both the Active Investor Plus Visa and the Business Investor Visa are designed to help invest and do business in New Zealand. Here are the differences between them:

• Active Investor Plus Visa: Aimed at high-net-worth individuals who want to invest large sums into New Zealand’s economy but do not necessarily need to run a business themselves.
• Business Investor Work Visa: Intended for hands-on entrepreneurs who want to actively own and operate a business in New Zealand.

Time in New Zealand

• Active Investor Plus Visa: Growth category: At least 21 days in New Zealand during the 3-year investment period. Balanced category: At least 105 days over the 5-year investment period (with reductions possible for certain types of investments)
• Business Investor Work Visa: Requires at least 184 days per year in New Zealand, beginning from the first day of business operations.

Age and experience

• Active Investor Plus Visa: No age or business experience requirement.
• Business Investor Work Visa: Applicants must be 55 years old or younger and meet business experience requirements.

Settlement funds

• Active Investor Plus Visa: No requirement.
• Business Investor Work Visa: Must provide proof of at least NZD $500,000 in personal funds to support themselves and their family.

English language requirement

• Active Investor Plus Visa: None.
• Business Investor Work Visa: Minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.

Length of stay and cost

• Active Investor Plus Visa: Grants residence immediately, with indefinite stay. Application cost: NZD $27,470.
• Business Investor Work Visa: Grants a temporary stay of up to 4 years. Application cost: NZD $12,380.

Pathway to residence

• Active Investor Plus Visa: Already a resident visa. Applicants may apply for permanent residence after 3 years (Growth category), or 5 years (Balanced category), provided investment and presence requirements are met.

• Business Investor Work Visa: Leads to a Business Investor Resident Visa, which costs NZD $14,890. Eligibility after 12 months (with NZD $2 million investment), or 3 years (with NZD $1 million investment).

Conclusión

The Business Investor Work Visa in New Zealand marks a decisive shift toward quality-driven immigration. By setting higher investment thresholds and mandating job creation, the program safeguards long-term economic benefits.

It offers a clear pathway to residence for investors who actively engage in business operations. The dual structure, 3 years or 12 months, gives flexibility depending on capital strength.

For global entrepreneurs, this visa presents both opportunity and accountability in New Zealand’s business landscape. 

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Adam es un autor reconocido internacionalmente en temas financieros, con más de 830 millones de respuestas en Quora, un libro muy vendido en Amazon y colaborador de Forbes.