How Does New Zealand's Business Investor Work Visa Work?

New Zealand's Business Investor Work Visa is for people who buy and run an established local business. Invest at least NZD 1 million and you can apply for residence after 3 years of running it, or NZD 2 million for residence after 12 months. You must be 55 or under and meet an English standard.

Law as at 9 October 2026. See our change log. · Last reviewed 9 Oct 2026 · Next review due 9 Jan 2027

Open (since 24 Nov 2025)Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has accepted applications for the Business Investor Work Visa since 24 November 2025. The rules sit in Operational Manual sections BD and BI.

Key figures

Item	Rule	Source
Standard track	NZD 1 million; residence after 3 years	BD1.5
Fast-track	NZD 2 million; residence after 12 months	BD1.5
Reserve funds	NZD 500,000, on top of the investment	BD2.20
Age	55 or under when you apply	BD2.1
English	IELTS 5.0 overall, or equivalent	BD2.30
Work visa fee	NZD 12,380 (fee 11,320 plus levy 1,060)	INZ fees guide
Resident visa fee	NZD 14,890 (fee 11,320 plus levy 3,570)	INZ fees guide

Citizens of listed Pacific countries applying offshore pay less.

What business qualifies?

The business must have operated in New Zealand for at least five years and employ at least five full-time-equivalent staff. You must buy at least 25% of it for NZD 1 million or more, excluding property and GST (BD2.5). Since 6 July 2026 you can own it through a New Zealand resident entity, and franchises are no longer excluded. Excluded businesses include labour hire, gambling, convenience stores and fast food outlets (BD9.15).

You also need three years of business experience: running a business with five full-time staff or NZD 1 million in annual revenue, or senior management of five staff in a business turning over NZD 5 million (BD2.25).

How do you get residence?

The work visa lasts up to 4 years. You must buy and run the business within 9 months, or the visa ends after 12 months (BD6.1, BD4.1). For residence, you must spend at least 184 days a year in New Zealand, keep five full-time-equivalent staff and create one new full-time job held for 12 months (BI2.1). Fast-track residents must keep running the business, with the 184 days and five staff, for three years in total, as visa conditions (BI4.1).

How does it differ from Active Investor Plus?

Active Investor Plus grants residence for NZD 5 million held in approved investments for 3 years, or NZD 10 million for 5 years. It requires 21 or 105 days in New Zealand and no English test. The Business Investor route needs less capital, but you must run the business, live mostly in New Zealand and speak English.

Who it suits

It fits experienced owners or senior managers, aged 55 or under, who plan to move to New Zealand and run the business.

FAQ

Can I start a new business instead?

The business must have traded in New Zealand for at least five years (BD2.5). The Entrepreneur Work Visa, the old start-up route, closed to new applications after 25 August 2025.

Does my family need to meet the English standard?

Not for the work visa. Before residence, a partner or child aged 16 or over must meet it or pay for English classes (BI3.1; INZ).

General information on the law as at 9 October 2026, not advice on your circumstances.

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