New Zealand opens immigration pathway for Investor Work Visa

Applicants for the new Business Investor Work Visa will soon be open to entrepreneurs with experience investing in New Zealand, providing a pathway to permanent residence and supporting investment in established businesses nationwide.

On 24 November 2025, applications will open for applicants holding an Investor Work Visa to support investment in established New Zealand businesses. The Investor Work Visa is valid for up to 4 years and allows applicants to include a spouse and dependent children.

Investors will have two investment options with different investment amounts, specifically as follows:

• NZ$1,000,000: Provides a 3-year work-to-residence pathway.
• NZ$2,000,000: Provides a fast-track pathway to permanent residence after 12 months.

Conditions for the Business Investor Work Visa

To be eligible for the Investor Work Visa, applicants must:

• Invest in a business that has been operating for at least 5 years
• Meet the minimum investment amount of NZ$1,000,000 or NZ$2,000,000.
• Prove they have at least NZ$500,000 in reserve funds to support themselves and their family
• Demonstrate business experience, such as owning a business with at least 5 full-time employees or generating annual revenue of NZ$1,000,000
• Be 55 years of age or younger
• Meet English language requirements
• Pass health and character checks

Some types of businesses are not eligible for investment under this Investor Work Visa. The types of businesses and industries listed as ineligible include:

• Convenience stores
• Discount stores
• Direct delivery businesses
• Fast food outlets
• Gambling businesses
• Tobacco-related businesses, including vaping
• Adult entertainment businesses
• Home-based businesses
• Franchise business
• Immigration consultancy services.

Conditions for the Business Investor Residence Visa

After the business has been operated successfully for the required period, applicants may be eligible for the Investor Residence Visa.

To be eligible for the Investor Residence Visa, they must meet specific requirements as follows:

• Actively participate in the operation of their business in New Zealand
• Maintain a similar level of ownership
• Maintain at least 5 full-time equivalent jobs
• Create and maintain at least one new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident for at least 12 months
• Prove the business is solvent
• Meet the time requirement in New Zealand (184 days in each of the previous 3 years)
• Meet health and character requirements.

Learn more about the Business Investor Visa at here.

Read more about The Active Investor Plus Visa.