A new Business Investor Work Visa has been announced and provides a work-to-resident pathway for business investors wishing to invest and work in existing business in New Zealand. This visa will open for application in November 2025 and partner and dependent children can be included in the work visa application. Partner can work for any employer at any salary with an open work visa and dependent children can study free in primary and secondary schools.
Work To Resident Investment Options
Business Investor Work visa offers the following 2 investment options:
- NZD $1 million investment in an existing business - apply for Business Investor Resident Visa after working in that business for 3 years;
- NZD $2 million investment in an existing business - apply for Business Investor Resident Visa after working in that business for 12 months (provides fast-track residence option)
Applicants can purchase a business outright or acquire at least 25% of the business, subject to meeting the minimum investment amount of NZD 1 million or NZD 2 million.
Eligibility For Business Investor Work Visa
To qualify for the Business Investor work visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:- be aged 55 or younger when they apply
- invest minimum NZD 1.00 million or NZD 2.00 million in an acceptable business
- have requisite business experience
- meet English language(IELTS 5.0 or equivalent), health and character requirements
- invest in a business that meets the financial threshold and employs at least 5 full-time equivalent staff
- show funds (at least NZD $500,000) to support themselves and their family if included in their application
What Are Acceptable Businesses
An acceptable business is a business that meets the financial threshold, employs at least 5 full-time employees and is not involved in the following business:
- drop-shipping
- gambling
- manufacturing of tobacco or other nicotine-based products, including vaping
- adult entertainment
- convenience stores, such as dairies, etc
- immigration advisory services, or that were purchased from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), or where an LIA is materially involved
- discount or value stores, such as NZD $2 shops
- fast food outlets
- franchised businesses
- home-based business, that is business operating solely from a residential address.
Can I start a new business
Business Investment Work Visa, as the name suggest, is only for investing in existing business in New Zealand and does not allow starting a new business. However indications are that a new visa will follow for those wishing to start a new business rather than invest in existing business.
How Long is the visa granted for
The visa can be granted for up to 4 years
Visa Application Charge
The Visa Application Charge including the immigration levy will be NZD $12,380.
Estimated Processing Time
As this is a new visa that will be effective from November 2025, the estimated processing time is not available. However it is expected to be processed fairly quickly in the initial period at least.
Contact Us
Are you an experienced businessperson, considering the Work-To-Resident pathway for you and your family and wish to discuss this Business Investor Work Visa. Well, contact us (phone or submit visa consultation form) for a free initial consultation with a licensed immigration adviser.