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The Business Investor Visa is New Zealand’s newest pathway for investors who wish to buy, operate, and grow an established New Zealand business. This visa provides a structured route to residence through investment and active business management.
Depending on your investment level, you can secure residence after operating your business for either 12 months or 3 years, while contributing to New Zealand’s economy and creating jobs for locals.
Your Video Guide to:
The Business Investor Visa allows experienced businesspeople to purchase and operate a qualifying New Zealand business.
It replaces previous investor and entrepreneur categories, combining investment capital requirements with hands-on business operation expectations.
Applicants invest in an established, lawful, and compliant New Zealand business that:
Up to 4 years (Work Visa Stage), split into:
After successfully meeting all requirements, applicants can transition to the Business Investor Residence Visa.
To qualify, you must:
Two distinct residence options are available under the Business Investor Visa:
Conditions for the 12-month (NZ$2 million) residence option:
Failure to maintain these conditions may result in loss of residence status under section 49(1) of the Immigration Act 2009.
Step 1:
Confirm personal eligibility, investment capital, and business suitability.
Step 2:
Engage a NZ-qualified accountant and lawyer (independent of your immigration adviser).
Step 3:
Submit your Business Investor Work Visa application via Immigration Online, attaching all supporting evidence.
Step 4:
Once approved, transfer investment funds to New Zealand within 9 months.
Step 5:
Complete the business purchase and begin active management within 12 months.
Step 6:
Maintain business performance, job creation, and full compliance with New Zealand laws.
Step 7:
Apply for residence after 3 years (NZ$1m) or 12 months (NZ$2m).
Step 8:
Receive your residence visa and continue operating the business for at least 3 years total.
Get personalised assistance tailored to your specific situation. By choosing a direct enquiry, you'll save time and receive expert guidance from NZIL’s team on your Business Investor Visa application. Whether you need help understanding your eligibility, preparing documents, or navigating the process, we’re here to provide clear, customised advice every step of the way.
You must invest at least NZ$1 million in an established NZ business, plus NZ$500,000 in reserve funds. If you invest NZ$2 million, you may qualify for residence after just 12 months.
Yes. The business must continue to employ at least five existing full-time staff and create one additional full-time position for a New Zealand citizen or resident.
No. The investment funds must be unencumbered, legally acquired, and personally owned. They must be transferable through lawful banking channels, and independently verified by your accountant and lawyer.
You must provide a clear chain of evidence showing how your funds were accumulated, such as:
The visa may lapse automatically if you do not complete the purchase and commence business operation within 12 months of approval.
We provide a comprehensive suite of services to ensure success over the life-cycle of your migration process including assessment of your eligibility, guidance and assistance in gathering documents, presentation of your case and advocacy on your behalf to ensure a successful outcome. For clients on a pathway that requires a period of work experience or business operation we provide post application support to ensure you remain on track for residency.
This will depend upon the work flows through Immigration New Zealand. But in general we advise people to be prepared for 12 months. This aspect we discuss in more detail in our pathway consultations once with established what path leads you to residency.
Yes you can include your partner and your dependent children.
Yes there is. Active Investor Category is a direct route to residence. The Entrepreneur visa creates a pathway to residence through operation of your own business in New Zealand.
