Business Investor Visa New Zealand

Invest and settle in New Zealand with the new Business Investor Visa. Opening in November 2025, it offers flexible investment pathways to residence for experienced entrepreneurs.

What is the Business Investor Visa?

The Business Investor Visa (New Zealand) is a new immigration pathway for experienced investors who want to buy or invest in existing New Zealand businesses and actively manage them.

It replaces the old Entrepreneur Work Visa and offers two options:

  • NZD $1 million investment → 3-year work-to-residence pathway
  • NZD $2 million investment → 12-month fast-track to residence

Holders can include their family, and successful applicants may later apply for residency through the Business Investor Resident Visa.

It’s designed to attract investors who can help grow New Zealand’s economy through business ownership and job creation.

Interested in migrating?Complete a free assessment
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Need help with your Business Investor Visa?

IMMagine Immigration offers a range of immigration services, including assistance with Business Investor Visa applications.

Complete a free assessment
Contact us

Business Investor Visa NZ Requirements

To qualify for New Zealand’s Business Investor Visa, applicants must meet key investment, financial, and eligibility requirements, including active involvement in a local business.

  • 1

    Applicants can invest NZD $1 million for a 3‑year work‑to‑residence pathway or NZD $2 million for a 12‑month fast‑track to residence.

  • 2

    Have at least NZD $500,000 in personal funds to support themselves and their family while establishing the business.

  • 3

    Be aged 55 years or younger at the time of application.

  • 4

    Meet English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent).

  • 5

    Meet health and character standards set by Immigration New Zealand.

  • 6

    Demonstrate relevant business experience.

You may:

  • Purchase a business outright, or
  • Acquire at least 25% ownership in an existing business (meeting the minimum investment threshold).

How IMMagine Can Help

With over 35 years of experience and a proven record of helping more than 30,000 migrants move to Australia and New Zealand, IMMagine Immigration is ideally positioned to guide investors through the new Business Investor Visa process.

Our licensed immigration advisers can:

  • Assess your eligibility for the Business Investor Visa and recommend the most suitable investment pathway (NZD $1 million or $2 million).

  • Provide strategic advice on selecting or acquiring a qualifying New Zealand business that meets visa requirements.

  • Prepare and lodge your visa application, ensuring all documentation, financial evidence, and business plans meet Immigration New Zealand standards.

  • Coordinate with local professionals—such as business brokers, accountants, and legal advisors—to support your investment and compliance.

  • Guide your family’s inclusion in the visa application and assist with residence transition once eligibility is met.

From eligibility checks to residence approval, IMMagine Immigration offers end‑to‑end support to make your move to New Zealand as smooth and successful as possible.

Complete a free assessment

The Business You Invest In Must:

The business you invest in must:

  • Meet the minimum investment threshold.
  • Employ at least five full‑time equivalent staff in New Zealand.
  • Not operate within unacceptable business sectors (see below).

Unacceptable Business Types

  • Drop‑shipping
  • Gambling
  • Manufacturing tobacco, nicotine, or vaping products
  • Adult entertainment
  • Convenience stores (e.g. corner dairies)
  • Discount/value stores (e.g. $2 shops)
  • Fast‑food outlets
  • Franchised or home‑based businesses
  • Immigration advisory businesses or those linked to Licensed Immigration Advisers (LIAs)
Interested in migrating?Complete a free assessment
nz citizenship benefits

Need help with your Business Investor Visa?

IMMagine Immigration offers a range of immigration services, including assistance with Business Investor Visa applications.

Complete a free assessment
Contact us

Step by Step

Our Process

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1. Free Eligibility Check

Complete our short questionnaire and attach your resume (or provide a summary of qualifications and work experience).

Within 48 working hours, we will provide a free written assessment of Visa options.

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2. Online Consultation

Book a 75–90 minute paid online consultation to explore your visa options and get answers to all your questions.

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3. Visa Application 

Once you decide to proceed, we will handle the preparation and processing of your visa application.

Visa Validity, Cost & Processing Time

Costs NZD $12,380 (includes visa fee + immigration levy)

Visa valid for up to 4 years

Process time around 3–6 months after submission

Leads to eligibility for the Business Investor Resident Visa.
free Eligibility assessment

Need Help With Your Business Investor Visa?

IMMagine Immigration offers a range of immigration services, including assistance with Business Investor Visa applications. Contact us today!

Complete A Free Assessment
Contact Us

IMMagine Immigration offers a range of immigration services, including assistance with Student Visas, Partner Visas, and Work Visas.

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Contributory Parent Visa
(Subclass 143 Visa)

The Contributory Parent visa allows a parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen to move to Australia permanently. The subclass 143 visa requires at least AUD47,825 for sponsorship. 

Contributory Parent Visa
(Subclass 173 Visa)

The Contributory Parent visa subclass 173 is similar to the Contributory Parent visa subclass 143 visa. The major difference is that the subclass 173 is a temporary visa that only allows a stay of up to 2 years. It requires a smaller contribution of AUD31,980, but still allows parents to apply for the subclass 143 visa at a later time.

Sponsored Parent
(Subclass 870)

This is another temporary visa that allows parents of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to visit Australia. This visa allows for stays between 3-5 years but the visa can be extended for up to 10 years in total. The main purpose is to allow extended time in Australia whilst the permanent resident visa is processed. Stays of up to 3 years cost AUD5,090 and up to 5 years cost AUD10,180.

Parent Visa 
(Subclass 103)

Parents with a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen are allowed to move to Australia permanently under this visa. The cost for the subclass 103 visa starts at AUD6,490. To be successful in the subclass 103 visa, you need to pass the balance of family test and meet certain health and character criteria.

This visa type can take many years to be processed, and the outcome must be decided when you are outside of Australia.

Aged Parent Visa
(Subclass 804)

The Aged Parent (subclass 804) visa is another visa with a very long waiting period for processing. It allows older parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents or “eligible New Zealand citizens” to permanently move to Australia. Costs start at AUD6,490. Aged parents are defined as those of retirement age in Australia.

Contributory Aged Parent Visa
(Subclass 864)

To reduce the waiting period, eligible aged parents may want to apply for the Contributory Aged Parent visa. This visa however will incur a larger application fee and an Assurance of Support bond. This visa allows aged parents to permanently move to Australia and enrol in Medicare. Costs start at AUD47,825.

Onshore applications

As a general comment the advantage of filing an onshore application in Australia is that it confers bridging visa rights to applicants. Bridging visas enable applicants to remain lawfully in Australia whilst the parent residence visa is processed.