The Business Investor Visa is a dedicated pathway for experienced businesspeople who want to buy, operate, and grow an established New Zealand business while working toward New Zealand residence.
This category is designed for investors who want to be genuinely involved in running a business, not passive shareholders. By injecting capital, management skills, and job creation into the local economy, investors help strengthen New Zealand’s SME sector while building a long-term future for their families.
Under this visa, eligible applicants receive a four-year work visa. During the first year, they must purchase an approved New Zealand business, transfer their investment funds lawfully, begin operating the business, and take an active managerial role. Once the business is running under their ownership, they must maintain its operations, meet staffing requirements, and ensure full compliance with tax, financial, and legal obligations.
To qualify, applicants must be 55 years of age or younger, meet English language, health, and character requirements, and demonstrate at least three years of credible business ownership or senior management experience. They must also have legally earned, unencumbered investment funds and maintain an additional NZD $500,000 in reserve funds. The business they purchase must have been operating in New Zealand for at least five years, employ a minimum of five full-time staff, and meet all employment and immigration standards.
There are two investment pathways. The standard pathway requires a minimum investment of NZD $1 million and three years of active business operation before the applicant can apply for residence. The fast-track pathway, for those investing NZD $2 million, allows an application for residence after twelve months of operation, provided all policy conditions continue to be met.
Throughout the operating period, investors must remain personally and actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business. They must also maintain the required five full-time employees and create one additional full-time role for a New Zealand citizen or resident. Once these conditions are satisfied, applicants may apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa, completing their pathway to life in New Zealand.
At Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd (IANZ), we assist investors with every stage of the process — from assessing eligibility and reviewing business options to preparing documentation, handling due diligence, supporting the acquisition process, and guiding applicants through compliance until residence is achieved.
You can click here to submit your interest to us – Click Here
$1m+ leads to a 3-year work-to-residence pathway; $2m+ offers a 12-month fast-track to residence.
No. The Entrepreneur category is retiring. BIV replaces it as the primary pathway for hands-on investors in existing businesses.
Yes, eligible partners and dependent children can usually be included. We’ll confirm based on your circumstances.
The Business Investor Visa allows experienced businesspeople to buy and operate an existing New Zealand business, receive a 4-year work visa, and apply for residence once all operational requirements are met.
You must invest at least NZD $1 million. For the fast-track residence pathway, the minimum investment is NZD $2 million.
The business must have been operating for 5+ years, employ at least ive full-time staff, be valued at NZD $1m+, and be fully compliant with NZ tax, employment, and immigration law.
You must show at least three years of business ownership or senior management experience relevant to running a New Zealand business.
Applicants must be 55 or younger and meet English language, health, and character requirements.
No. The business must not be owned by you or any family member and must not have been used for previous investor or entrepreneur visa applications in the last 10 years.
Standard pathway: after 3 years of running the business
Fast-track pathway: after 12 months (if investing $2m)
Yes. You must personally manage the business, make key decisions, and be involved in daily operations. Passive investment is not accepted.
You must maintain 5 FTE employees and create 1 additional FTE role for a New Zealand citizen or resident during the operating stage.
Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included in the application, provided they meet health and character requirements.
Book a consultation with us. If you prefer WhatsApp, share your number and the best time to chat. Alternatively, email us with details about your country, capital range (1–2m+), and target timeline to receive a tailored callback.
Reach out to us at contact@nzimmigration.info, or call us at +64 9 379 0219.
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