New Zealand Business Investor Visa
Invest in New Zealand. Secure Your Future.
New Zealand is opening new doors for international investors. From November 2025, the Business Investor Work Visa offers two clear pathways to residence. To this effect, the new Business Investor Visa (BIV) provide a pathway to residence for business migrants who are ready to invest in, operate and grow established businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- NZ$1 million investment – a 3-year work-to-residence pathway
- NZ$2 million investment – a 12-month fast-track to residence
You can buy a business outright or acquire a 25%+ stake, and both options make you eligible to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.
What are the applicant's eligibility requirements?
To be eligible for the Business Investor work visa, applicants will have to:
- meet the minimum investment threshold that they have chosen
- meet "additional funds" requirement of at least NZD $500,000 to support themselves while the business is being established
- be aged 55 or younger when they apply
- meet English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent)
- meet health and character requirements
- meet business experience requirements
- The business must have been operational for five years, meet certain financial thresholds and employ at least five full-time staff.
What are the business investment requirements?
Immigration instructions are yet to be made official, however, certain additional requirements have been released and clarify the types of business not acceptable under this visa category. These include:
- businesses involved in adult entertainment, gambling, tobacco/vaping-related,
- convenience stores,
- fast-food outlets,
- franchises,
- immigration advisory services,
- home-based businesses,
- discount or value stores
- There is also the requirement of creating at least one new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident.
This new visa complements the refreshed Active Investor Plus Visa and is designed to attract global investors, talent, and international connections.
Get in touch with our Business Migration Specialists today. We’ll guide you through the process, connect you with the right opportunities, and help you secure your place in New Zealand’s future.
Our New Zealand business visa service includes
- advice and assistance to find that ideal New Zealand business for sale or investment.
- a comprehensive business plan for your chosen business that covers the required level of analysis for Immigration New Zealand. This includes: industry assessment, financial analysis (startup costs, P&L forecasts, cashflow, capital investment, financing options etc) ownership and employee structures, benefits to NZ, marketing strategies, SWOT analysis….and much more!
- working with the required companies and agencies (e.g. realestate agencies, accountants, lawyers and other parties) to ensure all elements of your business visa process is streamlined
- liaising with Immigration New Zealand for all aspects of your business visa through to successful completion
Take our eligibility assessment
Find out if you can migrate to New Zealand by doing business
