BUSINESS INVESTOR WORK VISA

WORK TO RESIDENCE INVESTMENT OPTIONS

Business Investor Work visa offers the following 2 investment options:

• Invest NZD $1 million in an existing business - apply for Business Investor Resident Visa after working in that business for 3 years;
• Invest NZD $2 million 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.

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REQUIREMENTS 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 included in their application

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WHAT IS AN ACCEPTABLE INVESTMENT

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.

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CAN I START A NEW BUSINESS

Business Investment Work Visa, is only for investing in an 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 an existing business.

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HOW LONG IS THE VISA GRANTED FOR

The visa can be granted for up to 4 years

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VISA APPLICATION CHARGE

The Visa Application Charge including the immigration levy is NZD $12,380.

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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.

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IS NEW ZEALAND THE RIGHT PLACE FOR BUSINESS

New Zealand is an ideal destination for those wishing to do business and settle in New Zealand as it is a people-friendly, business-friendly and a safe country with modern, prosperous and growing economy, a stable democracy with fair, just and transparent laws. New Zealand consistently ranks high in the world rankings on a number of key parameters, such as:

• Ease of Doing Business - 1st rank (2020 latest available)
• Least corrupt country in the world - 4th rank (2024)
• Most peaceful country in the word - 4th rank (2024)
• Overall Prosperity Index - 10th rank (2023)
• Overall index of economic freedom - 11th rank (2025)

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