Business Investor Visa offers new immigration options for investors
The Government has announced the closure of the Entrepreneur Work Visa and introduced a new Business Investor Visa to attract experienced investors who will help grow New Zealand’s economy by actively running businesses.
About the Business Investor Visa
The Business Investor Work Visa will open for applications in November 2025 and offer 2 investment options:
- NZD $1 million investment in an existing business, for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway
- NZD $2 million investment in an existing business, for a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway
Applicants can purchase a business outright on either visa pathway or acquire at least 25% of the business, provided they meet the minimum $1 million or $2 million investment thresholds. Both options lead to eligibility to apply for the Business
Investor Resident Visa.
The Business Investor Work Visa complements the ActiveInvestor Plus Visa, which was refreshed in April 2025, and is part of a broader update to business immigration settings to attract investment, talent, and international connections.
Entrepreneur Category closure
The Entrepreneur Category is now closed to new applications for the Entrepreneur Work Visa.
If you have applied for an Entrepreneur Work Visa
If you have recently submitted an application for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, we will process it following the rules that were in place when you applied.
If you withdraw your application, you will not be eligible for a refund of any fees or levies already paid, regardless of the reason for your withdrawal.
If you currently hold an Entrepreneur Work Visa
Entrepreneur Work Visa holders will still be able to apply for residence, as the Entrepreneur Resident Visa will remain open.
If you need more time to meet Entrepreneur residence requirements, you can still apply for an Entrepreneur Work
Visa renewal to maintain your pathway to residence.
Entrepreneur Work Visa
Entrepreneur Resident Visa
If you want to apply for a Business Investor Work Visa, you will need to submit a new application when the visa opens
and pay the fees and levies.
More information
We will be sharing more information about the Business Investor Visa in October. This will include information to
help compare it with the Active Investor Plus Visa for those considering both options.
You can read more details on the Business Investor Visa announcement on the Beehive website:
New Business Investor Visa to support growth — Beehive.govt.nz
Source INZ
