New ZealandActiveBusiness Migration

Business Investor Visa

New route launched November 2025: NZ$1M (3-year, work-to-residence) or NZ$2M (12-month fast-track).

This visa replaced the Entrepreneur Work Visa, which is closed to new applicants.

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Official program name: Business Investor Visa
Program category: Purchasing or actively operating a business
Current status: Active and accepting applications (opened November 2025)
Best suited for: Experienced business operators wanting to acquire or run an existing New Zealand business
Overview: The Business Investor Visa opened in November 2025 as a new route for experienced operators, offering two tiers: a NZ$1 million investment on a 3-year work-to-residence track, or a NZ$2 million investment on a faster 12-month track. This is distinct from the Active Investor Plus Visa, which is aimed at more passive high-net-worth investors.
Minimum investment: NZ$1,000,000 (3-year work-to-residence) or NZ$2,000,000 (12-month fast-track)
Active involvement required: Yes
Residence status granted: Work-to-residence visa
Family inclusion: Yes — partner and dependent children
Spouse work rights: To be confirmedConfirm with the official authority before you rely on this.
Permanent residence pathway: Yes
Official source: immigration.govt.nz; nzte.govt.nz

Want more background?

Our guide explains how this route works in practice and what to prepare first.

Read the New Zealand guide →

Directional guidance only, not immigration advice. Confirm current business-acquisition criteria with Immigration New Zealand. Last verified September 15, 2026.