What is the New Zealand Business Investor Visa?
The program is designed specifically for people with business experience who will invest in acquiring all or part of an established New Zealand business and run it themselves. It seeks not only capital but, more importantly, management experience, strategic vision, and the ability to create jobs and contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth.
Investors may include their partner and dependent children in the application. The initial work visa is granted for up to 4 years, and application fees start from NZ$12,380.
After operating the business in line with the conditions for the required period, the investor and family may apply for a Resident Visa.
The two Business Investor Visa pathways
The program offers two flexible options to suit different financial capacities and residency goals.
1. Standard work-to-residence pathway (3 years)
- Investment amount: at least NZ$1 million in an established business.
- Process: The investor receives a Business Investor Work Visa to move to New Zealand and manage the business. After meeting the business conditions for 3 years, the investor becomes eligible to apply for a Business Investor Resident Visa.
2. Fast-track to residence pathway (12 months)
- Investment amount: at least NZ$2 million in an established business.
- Process: As with the standard pathway, the investor starts with a work visa. This is the faster route to a Resident Visa: after only 12 months of meeting the business conditions in New Zealand, the investor may apply for a Resident Visa.
Business Investor Visa eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the program, investors must meet the following requirements:
- Age: under 55.
- English: a minimum IELTS score of 5.0 or an equivalent test score.
- Business experience: applicants must demonstrate relevant business management and operating experience.
- Tài chính:
- Evidence of lawfully acquired investment funds matching the chosen pathway (NZ$1 million or NZ$2 million).
- Evidence of at least NZ$500,000 in additional reserve funds to cover your family’s living costs during your initial period in New Zealand.
- Health and police certificates: the applicant and accompanying family members must meet all statutory health and character requirements.
Requirements for the business being invested in
Not every business qualifies. The New Zealand government is looking for investment in businesses that have growth potential and create value. The business the applicant invests in must therefore meet the following requirements:
- Ownership: the investor must acquire 100% of the business or at least 25% of its shares.
- Job creation: the business must maintain 5 full-time jobs and create 1 new job for a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Excluded businesses:
- Drop-shipping
- Gambling
- Manufacturing or selling tobacco and nicotine products
- Adult entertainment
- Convenience stores and discount stores
- Fast food restaurants
- Franchise businesses
- Home-based businesses
Active Investor Plus Visa vs Business Investor Visa
| Criteria | Active Investor Plus Visa | Business Investor Work Visa |
| Objective | Attracts large-scale investment into assets that drive growth in the New Zealand economy. | Attracts experienced business owners to directly operate and grow a business in New Zealand. |
| Investment type | Investmentfinancial and diverse in form, and can be relatively passive (through funds or equities) or strategic (direct investment). No ongoing operational management is required.
There are two categories:
|
Active. You must personally manage and run the business you acquire.
There are two pathways:
|
| Job creation requirements | Not required | Maintain 5 full-time jobs and create 1 new job for New Zealand citizens or permanent residents |
| Time required in New Zealand | No ongoing physical presence required.
|
Requires regular residence to run the business.
A minimum of 184 days per year. |
| Age | No age limit | Under 55 years of age |
| Business experience | Not required | Applicants must have relevant business experience. Further details will be announced in due course. |
| Proof of funds to cover living costs in New Zealand | Not required | NZ$500,000 |
| English proficiency | Not required | 5.0 IELTS(or equivalent) |
| Initial visa validity | The Resident Visa granted has no expiry date and allows permanent residence in New Zealand.
However, you may travel in and out of New Zealand freely only during the first 4 or 6 years (depending on the category you applied under). You may then apply for a Permanent Resident Visa (PR) for unrestricted travel in and out of New Zealand. |
The Work Visa granted is valid for up to 4 years.
You may then apply for a Resident Visa(Resident Visa) after operating the business in line with the conditions (1 or 3 years, depending on the pathway you apply under). |
| Initial application fee | From NZ$27,470 | From NZ$12,380 |
Official guidance to be published soon
According to the New Zealand government’s announcement, the Business Investor Visa program is scheduled to officially launch in November 2025. This is a strategic step to attract experienced businesspeople who can bring genuine growth to New Zealand companies.
Although the main criteria and pathways have largely been announced, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will publish the final detailed guidance on the application process, forms, and specific requirements on its official website this October, as the program prepares to open for applications.
IMM Group will continue to monitor upcoming announcements closely and keep investors informed of the latest developments.
Why work with an experienced advisory firm?
The global investment and citizenship landscape is constantly changing and increasingly complex. Investors need an advisory partner that not only helps build a strong application but also serves as a reliable anchor for the family’s future. That is why, across all our New Zealand investment migrationand all of our global investment migration solutions, IMM Group sets itself apart as a strategic advisory partner, working alongside you with experience and integrity.
As a pioneering, long-established firm with more than 21 years of hands-on experience in Vietnam, IMM Group is not a sales agent, and we do more than advise: we design global investment migration solutions built on:
- Rigorous due diligence and risk management: Our experience successfully handling hundreds of cases, including complex ones, enables us to conduct multi-layered project due diligence and protect investors’ interests rigorously, even during market crises.
- In-depth professional consulting and full transparency: Every IMM Group advisor and case manager is certified in investment migration advisory by the Investment Migration Council (IMC). Our team analyzes benefits and risks in full, so you can make decisions based on complete and accurate information. We put our clients’ long-term interests first.
- Integrity and commitment every step of the way: Guided by our philosophy, “Serving with Authentic Values,” IMM Group stays with you from the first step until you have settled in your new country. Integrity is our foundation, reflected in our readiness to stand up for clients’ interests and to proactively refund service fees when risks beyond the client’s control arise, as set out in the contract.
- Giving backSince 2025, IMM Group has officially become a nonprofit enterprise, committing at least 50% of its annual profits to the Be Better Fund. By choosing IMM Group, you also help hundreds of students facing exceptional hardship gain a chance to change their lives.
If you are considering New Zealand investment migration, contact IMM Group or leave your details below. Our experienced advisors will provide detailed guidance and help assess your application’s likelihood of success. We will keep your personal data confidential and use the information you provide only to advise on your family’s case.
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