New Zealand Business Investor Work Visa

Min investment

$600,000

Investment routes

Business / enterprise

Time to status

~months; work visa first, with a defined pathway to residence

Path to citizenship

Pathway to residence after meeting the business/investment conditions; NZ citizenship after 5 years' residence.

Residency requirement

Must actively run the business in New Zealand.

Visa-free destinations

Not specified

Dual citizenship allowed

Yes

Notes

Opened November 2025, replacing the closed Entrepreneur Work Visa. Buy into an established New Zealand business: NZD 1,000,000 (standard) or NZD 2,000,000 (fast-track). Applicants must additionally show NZD 500,000 in reserve funds to support themselves and family, be aged 55 or under, meet business-experience requirements, and show English ability. July 2026 rules widened it: franchise businesses now qualify, the business may be purchased through a NZ resident entity, and lawfully earned gifted capital may be used. Distinct from the Active Investor Plus (passive investor) programme. Leads to a work visa first, with a pathway to residence.

About New Zealand

Healthcare

★★★★★

Safety

★★★★★

Cost of living

High

Climate

Temperate