New Zealand Business Investor work visa

Work visa for an investor who buys and actively runs an established New Zealand business; leads to the Business Investor Resident Visa after 3 years (NZD 1 million (≈ $559,000)) or 12 months (NZD 2 million (≈ $1,120,000) fast-track). ^{1 2}

What you must show and pay

• An investment of at least NZD 1,000,000 (≈ $559,000) · Purchase price of an established New Zealand business the applicant will run, giving at least 25 percent ownership (standard pathway, residence after 3 years); property value and GST are excluded. ^{1 2}
• An investment of at least NZD 2,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) · Fast-track pathway to residence after 12 months of running the business. ^{1 2}
• Savings of at least NZD 500,000 (≈ $280,000) · Reserve funds to support yourself and family while running and growing the business. ¹
• A fee of NZD 12,380 (≈ $6,920) · Visa cost shown as from NZD 12,380 (≈ $6,920). ¹

Requirements

• The applicant is aged 55 or younger when applying. ^{1 2}
• The applicant speaks and understands English, is in good health and of good character, and is a fit and proper person. ^{1 2}
• The applicant has at least 3 years of business experience: paid self-employment in a business with at least 5 full-time employees or annual revenue of at least NZD 1 million (≈ $559,000), or paid senior management with at least 5 full-time employees under direct management and annual turnover of at least NZD 5 million (≈ $2,800,000). ¹
• The business being bought has traded for at least 5 years, employs at least 5 full-time equivalent staff and is not already owned by the applicant or a family member. ¹
• The purchase must give at least 25 percent ownership of the business. ^{1 2}
• Some activities such as gambling, tobacco, fast food and franchises are excluded. ^{1 2}
• The applicant intends to create at least 1 new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident. ¹
• Standard 3-year pathway: purchase of an acceptable established New Zealand business at NZD 1,000,000 (≈ $559,000) or more, excluding property value and GST. ^{1 2}
• Fast-track pathway to residence after 12 months of running the business: NZD 2,000,000 (≈ $1,120,000) or more. ^{1 2}
• Reserve funds of at least NZD 500,000, (≈ $280,000) on top of the investment, support the applicant while running the business. ¹
• The investment and reserve funds cannot be borrowed, except in certain circumstances. ¹
• The visa cost is shown as from NZD 12,380 (≈ $6,920). ¹
• The applicant actively runs the business. ^{1 2}

Stay

• Up to 4 years: 12-month establishment stage (evidence of purchase due within 9 months) then operating stage; one renewal of up to 2 years if more time is needed for residence.
• First stay: up to 48 months, decided case by case.
• Visa validity: 48 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Work

Live and work in New Zealand running the invested business; study up to 3 months in any 12 months.

Family

Partner and dependent children can be included.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Business Investor Work Visa · Immigration New Zealand · checked 2026-10-12
2. Visas for investing and doing business in New Zealand · Immigration New Zealand · checked 2026-10-10
3. Presence in NZ requirements (citizenship by grant) · New Zealand Government (govt.nz, Department of Internal Affairs) · checked 2026-10-11