New Zealand Business Investor Work Visa and residence pathway in 2026

The Business Investor Work Visa is the main current immigration route for an experienced business person who wants to buy into and actively run an established New Zealand business. It is not a generic startup-founder visa.

Investment pathways

The work visa offers two investment levels:

  • Standard pathway: at least NZD $1 million in an acceptable established business; residence may become available after 3 years of operating the business.
  • Fast-track pathway: at least NZD $2 million; residence may become available after 12 months, although INZ can impose continuing business-operation conditions so that the business is run for at least three years across the work and resident visas.

The applicant must also show at least NZD $500,000 in reserve funds for settlement and business support.

Business and applicant requirements

Current rules include:

  • age 55 or younger when applying;
  • at least 3 years of acceptable business experience;
  • a nominated business that has been trading for at least five years and meets the purchase, ownership, staffing and compliance tests;
  • due diligence and a business proposal;
  • intention to create at least 1 new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident;
  • English, health, character and fit-and-proper-person requirements.

The visa can be valid for up to 4 years. Within the establishment stage, the holder must show that the approved business has been purchased and is being run.

Residence-stage safeguards

For the Business Investor Resident Visa, the business must continue to meet conditions including active operation, solvency and employment requirements. INZ currently requires at least 184 days a year in New Zealand while running the business and maintenance of the required jobs.

Official guidance: Business Investor Work Visa and Business Investor Resident Visa.

Related: legacy entrepreneur route, Active Investor Plus, New Zealand hub, entrepreneur visas.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in New Zealand