New Zealand Golden Visa is open for subscription for foreign wealthy businessmen. The newly created ‘Business Investor Work Visa’ will accept applications beginning November 24, 2025, to facilitate investment in established New Zealand firms. A new ‘Business Investor Work Visa’ has been introduced by New Zealand for international businessmen who wish to invest and become permanent residents.
Importantly, the Business Investor Work Visa involves investing in an already-existing company in New Zealand rather than starting a new one. Beginning in November 2025, New Zealand’s new Business Investor Work Visa will replace the existing Entrepreneur Work Visa.
Business Investor Work Visa
The new Business Investor Work Visa is intended for experienced business professionals who want to invest in New Zealand. The visa is valid for up to four years and can lead to permanent residence.
There are 2 investment options — NZD $1 million offering a 3-year work-to-residence pathway and the NZD $2 million investment option offering a fast-track pathway to residence after 12 months.
Applicants for the Business Investor Work Visa must also demonstrate that they have at least NZD $500,000 in reserve funds to support themselves and their families, as well as business experience, such as owning a business with at least 5 full-time employees or earning NZD $1 million in annual revenue.
Business Investor Work Visa Eligibility
To be eligible for a Business Investor Work Visa, applicants must meet certain conditions. The applicant must invest in a business that has been in operation for at least five years. Second, there is a minimum investment requirement of either NZD 1 million or NZD 2 million.
To qualify, they must be actively involved in running their business in New Zealand and maintain at least 5 full-time jobs while creating and maintaining at least 1 new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident that lasts at least 12 months.
The foreign investors need to meet the time-in-New-Zealand requirements of 184 days in each of the previous 3 years.
A Business Investor Work Visa is valid for up to 4 years, which includes two stages: the Establishment stage for the first 12 months to purchase and start running the nominated business, and the Operating stage for the remaining 3 years to grow the business in New Zealand.
Foreign investors must provide evidence of business purchase and operation within the first 9 months to maintain visa validity; failure to do so will result in expiration after the Establishment stage.
New Zealand‘s Business Investor Work Visa is targeted at foreign investors looking for residency options in the country by investing in existing local businesses.