New Zealand: Business Investor Visa (BIV)

The New Zealand Government has announced the discontinuation of new applications for the Entrepreneur Work Visa and introduced a new Business Investor Visa. This is aimed at attracting experienced investors who will help grow New Zealand’s economy by actively running businesses.

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The Business Investor Work Visa will open for applications in November 2025.

There are 2 different pathways offered:

• A $1 million NZD investment in an existing business, for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway

• A $2 million NZD investment in an existing business, for a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway

Applicants can either purchase an existing business outright on either visa pathway or they can acquire at least 25% of the existing business, provided they meet the minimum $1 million or $2 million investment thresholds.

Pathway to residency:
Both options lead to eligibility to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.

Duration:
A Business Investor Visa may be granted for up to 4 years.

Cost:
The cost of the Business Investor Work Visa will be NZD $12,380 which includes the visa application fee and immigration levy.

Partners and dependents:
Applicants may also include their partner and dependent children in their application.

The Business Investor Work Visa complements the Active Investor Plus Visa, which was refreshed in April 2025, and forms part of a broader update to business immigration settings designed to attract investment, talent, and international connections.

According to Immigration New Zealand, the following business types are not acceptable business investments under the Business Investor Visa:

• businesses involved in:

  • drop-shipping

  • gambling

  • the manufacturing of tobacco or other nicotine-based products, including vaping

  • adult entertainment

• convenience stores (for example, corner dairies)

• businesses that offer immigration advisory services, or that were purchased from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), or where an LIA is materially involved

• discount or value stores (for example, NZD $2 shops)

• fast food outlets

• franchised businesses

• home-based businesses (businesses only operating from a residential address)

To be eligible for the Business Investor work visa, you must:

• meet the minimum investment threshold (either $1 million or $2 million, depending on the chosen pathway)

• show that you have at least NZD $500,000 to support yourself (and you family if you are including them in the application) while establishing the business

• be aged 55 or younger at the time of application

• meet English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent)

• meet health and character requirements

• meet business experience requirements

• invest in a business that meets the financial threshold and employs at least 5 full-time equivalent staff

To apply for the Business Investor Visa, you will need to meet English language requirements, which is an IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.

The test you choose should be based on what it is you want to do. The IELTS Academic is usually for entry into university. IELTS General Training is used for migration purposes as it uses everyday English.

The New Zealand government accepts both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training for visa purposes. The organisation where you plan to work or study sets the requirements. So, before you book your test, it is good to check which one is right for you.

Book IELTS for your visa

Immigration New Zealand has approved IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) for visa application purposes, including the Business Investor Visa.

IELTS One Skill Retake allows you to retake one section (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) of the IELTS test without having to re-sit a full test, if you need to improve on just one skill.

Find out more about IELTS One Skill Retake

Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the New Zealand Immigration website for changes that may apply to you. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent.