New Zealand has announced the launch of a new ‘Business Investor Work Visa. aimed at global businessmen who want to invest and settle in the country as permanent residents. The important thing to note is that the Business Investor Work Visa is not establishing a new business but investing in an existing business in New Zealand.
The newly launched ‘Business Investor Work Visa’ will start accepting applications on November 24, 2025, to facilitate investment in established New Zealand businesses. “Commencing in November 2025, New Zealand’s new Business Investor Visa (BIV) replaces the former Entrepreneur Work Visa, which was often viewed as administratively burdensome and yielded low approval rates,” says James Hall, Founder and CEO, ANZ Migrate.
To qualify for a Business Investor Work Visa, applicants are required to fulfill specific criteria.
Firstly, the applicant must invest in a business that has been in operation for a minimum of five years. Secondly, there is a minimum investment requirement that mandates either NZD $1 million or NZD $2 million to be invested.
As part of your application for a Business Investor Work Visa, you must nominate an established New Zealand business you intend to invest in by purchasing the business and actively running it.
“Around 48,000 private New Zealand businesses employ six or more staff, and nearly 75% of family-owned businesses. With over 60% of business shareholders aged 50 and above, and a significant portion planning to retire and sell within five years, the BIV creates a direct pathway for global investors to seize the opportunity to invest in proven businesses, driving job creation, and achieve residence through tangible, growth-oriented economic engagement,” adds Hall.
The new Business Investor Work Visa is aimed at experienced business people who want to invest in New Zealand. The visa is valid for up to 4 years and also provides a pathway to residence.
One can include their partner and dependent children in their application and will need to demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves and the family in New Zealand while they are establishing their business.
There are also additional requirements to demonstrate you will be able to effectively run the business you invest in and comply with immigration, employment and business standards.
There are 2 investment options:
NZD $1 million: offers a 3-year work-to-residence pathway. It is nearly Rs 5 crore in Indian Rupees.
NZD $2 million: offers a fast-track pathway to residence after 12 months. It is nearly Rs 10 crore in Indian Rupees.
The applicants of the Business Investor Work Visa also need to show they have at least NZD $500,000 in reserve funds to support themselves and their family and demonstrate business experience, such as owning a business with at least 5 full-time employees or generating NZD $1 million in annual revenue.
Kartikey Chauhan, Partner, P&H Partners NZ says, “This move has dual implications: for global talent mobility, it attracts a sophisticated class of investor who can create sustainable, high-value jobs for locals. For employers, it offers a distinct opportunity to secure capital and an active owner-manager for their succession planning or expansion goals, ultimately strengthening New Zealand’s position as a stable destination for investment-led workforce growth.”
Some types of businesses are not eligible for investment under this visa, such as convenience stores, discount shops, fast food outlets, home-based businesses, franchised businesses and immigration advisory services.
To qualify, they must:
Be actively involved in running their business in New Zealand
Continue to meet the same level of ownership
Maintain at least 5 full-time equivalent jobs
Create and maintain at least 1 new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident that lasts at least 12 months
Show the business is solvent
Meet time-in-New Zealand requirements (184 days in each of the previous 3 years), and
Meet health and character requirements.