New Zealand has introduced a new Business Investor Work Visa, opening a fresh pathway to residence for experienced business professionals. The visa will be available for applications starting November 24, 2025, and is designed to attract investors to established businesses across the country.
Two investment tiers, one objective
The Business Investor Work Visa offers two investment options:
- NZD $1 million investment: Provides a 3-year work-to-residence pathway.
- NZD $2 million investment: Enables a fast-tracked residence pathway after just 12 months.
Both options require investment into a New Zealand business that has been operating for at least five years. The visa is valid for up to four years and includes provisions for the applicant’s partner and dependent children.
Business Investor Work Visa core eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet the following key requirements:
- Invest in a qualifying New Zealand business with a 5+ year operating history.
- Meet minimum investment thresholds of NZD $1 million or NZD $2 million.
- Hold at least NZD $500,000 in reserve funds for personal and family support.
- Demonstrate credible business experience, such as:
- Ownership of a business with at least five full-time employees, or
- Annual business turnover of NZD $1 million or more.
- Be aged 55 or younger.
- Satisfy English language, health, and character requirements.
Restrictions on investment types
To ensure alignment with long-term economic goals, the visa excludes investments in specific business categories, including:
- Convenience stores and discount shops
- Drop-shipping businesses
- Fast food outlets
- Gambling and tobacco (including vaping)
- Adult entertainment
- Home-based or franchised businesses
- Immigration advisory services
The Path to Residence
A Business Investor Work Visa can evolve into a long-term opportunity to call New Zealand home. Those who meet the initial visa criteria and successfully manage their investment over time may become eligible for residence under the Business Investor Resident Visa.
This transition is not automatic—it’s earned through active engagement and sustained contribution to the New Zealand economy. Investors must remain actively involved in managing their business and retain their ownership stake throughout the qualifying period. The business itself must not only remain solvent but also demonstrate tangible economic impact—specifically, by employing at least five full-time equivalent staff and creating at least one new, lasting job for a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Physical presence in New Zealand is another key factor. Applicants must have spent a minimum of 184 days in the country in each of the previous three years, underscoring the government’s focus on meaningful residency rather than remote ownership. Health and character requirements remain in place throughout, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to integrity and community wellbeing.
This structured pathway offers more than just the right to remain—it’s a signal that investors who integrate into New Zealand’s business landscape and contribute to its growth can establish deeper roots and build a future in the country.
What this means for global investors
New Zealand’s new visa policy signals a targeted shift toward fostering sustainable investment in established enterprises, rather than speculative or passive business activity. For international entrepreneurs and business owners, the program offers both security and a strategic route to long-term residency.
At Newland Chase, we help clients navigate investor immigration programs across the globe. Our New Zealand specialists can guide you through every stage of the application and business setup process, ensuring compliance and clarity at every step.
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
