BD2.1 Summary of Business Investor work visa requirements

1. An application for a Business Investor work visa may be approved if a business immigration specialist is satisfied that the principal applicant:
   1. has nominated a business to purchase that meets the requirements set out in BD2.5; and
   2. has conducted due diligence on that nominated business (see BD2.10); and
   3. will be actively involved (see BD9.1) in operating the nominated business following its purchase; and
   4. has nominated acceptable capital investment funds sufficient to purchase the nominated business (see BD2.15); and
   5. has acceptable reserve funds of NZ$500,000 (see BD2.20), in addition to capital investment funds; and
   6. intends to create ongoing, full time equivalent employment for one additional New Zealand citizen or resident in the nominated business (see BD9.40); and
   7. has obtained professional or occupational registration in New Zealand if registration is required for operating the proposed business or intends to obtain such registration prior to commencing the business if required; and
   8. meets the fit and proper person requirements (see BM1); and
   9. has not been involved in bankruptcy or business failure within the five years preceding the date their application was made; and
   10. has a minimum of three years acceptable business experience (see BD2.25); and
   11. meets English language requirements (see BD2.30); and
   12. was aged 55 or younger at the time the Business Investor work visa application is made; and
   13. meets residence health and character requirements (see A4 and A5).
2. In addition to (a) above, any partner and/or dependent children included in the application must meet residence health and character requirements (see A4 and A5).
3. An application for a Business Investor work visa must be declined if the grant of the visa would create an unacceptable risk to the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration or employment laws or policies or international reputation (see BD9.70).

Effective 24/11/2025