New Business Investor Work Visa Now Open
by | December 15, 2025 | News
Published: 24 November 2025
Immigration New Zealand has officially opened applications for the new Business Investor Work Visa, designed for experienced businesspeople looking to invest in established New Zealand businesses and gain a pathway to residence.
The visa is valid for up to 4 years and allows applicants to include their partner and dependent children. Two investment pathways are available:
- NZD $1 million – a 3-year work-to-residence pathway
- NZD $2 million – a 12-month fast-track to residence
Eligibility Highlights — Work Visa
Applicants must:
- Invest in a New Zealand business operating for at least 5 years
- Commit NZD $1 million or NZD $2 million
- Hold NZD $500,000 in reserve funds
- Demonstrate proven business experience (e.g. previous ownership of a business with at least 5 full-time employees or NZD $1 million in annual revenue)
- Be 55 years or younger
- Meet English language, health, and character requirements
Pathway to Residence
After operating the business for the required period, applicants may apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa. Eligibility then requires:
- Active involvement in running the business
- Continued business ownership and maintenance of at least 5 full-time equivalent jobs
- Creation and maintenance of at least one new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident (lasting at least 12 months)
- Demonstrated business solvency
- Spending 184 days in New Zealand in each of the previous 3 years
- Continued compliance with health and character requirements
More Information
- 📄 Announcement: New investor visa to back local businesses — Beehive.govt.nz
- ✅ Apply for a Business Investor Work Visa: Business Investor Work Visa — Immigration New Zealand
This new visa aims to attract quality investors and supports long-term business growth across Aotearoa / New Zealand.