New Business Investor Work Visa opens pathway to residence

The new Business Investor Work Visa will soon open for experienced business people to invest in New Zealand, providing a pathway to residence and supporting investment in established businesses across the country.

On 24 November 2025, applications will open for the Business Investor Work Visa to support investment in established New Zealand businesses. The visa is valid for up to 4 years and allows applicants to include their partner and dependent children.

There are 2 investment options:

• NZD $1 million: offers a 3-year work-to-residence pathway.
• NZD $2 million: offers a fast-track pathway to residence after 12 months.

Eligibility for Business Investor Work Visa

To qualify for a Business Investor Work Visa, applicants must:

• invest in a business that has been operating for at least 5 years
• meet the minimum investment amount of either NZD $1 million or NZD $2 million
• show they have at least NZD $500,000 in reserve funds to support themselves and their family
• demonstrate business experience, such as owning a business with at least 5 full-time employees or generating NZD $1 million in annual revenue
• be 55 years or younger
• meet English language requirements, and
• pass health and character checks.

Some types of businesses are not eligible for investment under this visa. These include:

• convenience stores
• discount shops
• drop-shipping operations
• fast food outlets
• gambling
• tobacco-related businesses, including vaping
• adult entertainment
• home-based businesses
• franchised businesses
• immigration advisory services.

Eligibility for Business Investor Resident Visa

Once the business has been successfully operated for the required period, applicants may be eligible for the Business Investor Resident Visa.

To qualify, they must:

• be actively involved in running their business in New Zealand
• continue to meet the same level of ownership
• maintain at least 5 full-time equivalent jobs
• create and maintain at least 1 new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident that lasts at least 12 months
• show the business is solvent
• meet time-in-New Zealand requirements (184 days in each of the previous 3 years), and
• meet health and character requirements.

More information

For more information on the Business Investor Visas and a comparison with the Active Investor Plus Visa:

Visas for investing and doing business in New Zealand