New Zealand Investor and Business Visas
New Zealand offers two principal pathways for overseas investors and experienced businesspeople: the Active Investor Plus Visa and the Business Investor Work Visa. The right option depends on whether the applicant prefers to make approved investments or actively purchase and manage an established New Zealand business.
Active Investor Plus Visa
The Active Investor Plus Visa is a residence pathway for applicants who can invest significant capital in approved New Zealand investments.
Applicants may choose between:
Growth Category
- Minimum investment: NZD 5 million
- Investment period: 3 years
- Focuses mainly on higher-growth investments, including approved managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses
- Minimum physical presence: generally 21 days over the investment period
Balanced Category
- Minimum investment: NZD 10 million
- Investment period: 5 years
- Allows a broader range of investments, which may include direct investments, managed funds, listed equities, bonds, philanthropy and eligible property developments
- Minimum physical presence: generally 105 days, although reductions may be available for additional qualifying investment
Applicants must demonstrate that their funds were lawfully earned or acquired and must transfer and maintain the required investment in acceptable New Zealand assets. There is no standard age, business-experience or English-language requirement for this visa. Eligible partners and dependent children may be included in the application.
Business Investor Work Visa
The Business Investor Work Visa is intended for experienced business owners and senior managers who want to purchase, invest in and actively operate an established New Zealand business.
Applicants must generally:
- Invest at least NZD 1 million for the standard pathway
- Invest at least NZD 2 million for the fast-track pathway
- Hold at least NZD 500,000 in additional reserve funds
- Be 55 years of age or younger
- Have at least three years of acceptable business experience
- Meet the required English-language standard
- Purchase an eligible New Zealand business that has been operating for at least five years
- Own at least 25% of the approved business
- Actively participate in its day-to-day management
- Maintain existing employment and create at least one additional full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident
The visa may be granted for up to four years and can include the applicant’s eligible partner and dependent children.
Pathway to Residence
Applicants investing at least NZD 1 million may become eligible for a Business Investor Resident Visa after operating the approved business for three years.
Applicants investing at least NZD 2 million may apply through the fast-track pathway after 12 months. However, they must continue operating the business for at least three years across their work and resident visas.
Applicants must also satisfy ongoing conditions, including:
- Spending at least 184 days per year in New Zealand
- Maintaining the approved ownership interest
- Keeping the business solvent and compliant
- Maintaining at least five full-time-equivalent employees
- Creating and maintaining at least one new eligible full-time job
Which Pathway May Be Suitable?
The Active Investor Plus Visa may suit applicants who wish to obtain residence by placing funds into approved New Zealand investments without personally managing a business.
The Business Investor Work Visa may be more appropriate for experienced entrepreneurs who want to purchase an established company, actively operate it and progress toward residence through business performance.
Start Your New Zealand Investment Journey
Open Path Immigration can assist with preliminary eligibility assessment, pathway comparison, documentation coordination and application support in association with appropriately authorised New Zealand immigration and professional advisers.
Investment approval, visa approval and financial returns cannot be guaranteed. Independent immigration, legal, financial, tax and commercial due diligence should be obtained before committing funds.
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