New Zealand’s Business Investor Visa
This is an exciting new visa pathway! It has previously been very difficult to migrate to New Zealand through self-employment. This new visa gives experienced businesspeople the means of obtaining residence by purchasing an existing New Zealand business.
When does the new visa open?
Applications will open on 24 November 2025.
How long is the work visa for?
There are effectively two stages to the Business Investor Work Visa enabling a four-year stay. You can qualify for residence during that time.
- Establishment Stage – The visa will expire after 12 months if migrant does not purchase and begin operating the business.
- Operating Stage – This visa will be valid for a further three years. It is during this stage that the migrant should be able to apply for residence.
There is an allowance for one Renewal, of up to two years, if you need further time to meet the resident visa requirements.
What are the requirements for the Business Investor Work Visa?
You must be aged 55 years or younger and be able to prove at least three years of business experience.
You must purchase at least 25% of an existing New Zealand business for at least NZ$1million. You must also have NZ$500,000 in reserve funds.
The business you buy must employ at least five full-time equivalent employees and have been operating for at least five years. There are some types of businesses that are excluded such as labour hire businesses, any operating from a residential address, or franchised businesses.
You will need confirmation from a New Zealand statutory accountant that financial due diligence has been completed, and from a New Zealand lawyer confirming that that legal due diligence has also been completed.
You will need to demonstrate how you lawfully acquired the funds you are using to buy the business, which must also be unencumbered. Further, you cannot have been involved in a bankruptcy or business failure within the previous five years.
You must also meet English language, health, and good character requirements, including specific business-related “fit and proper person’ requirements.
What are the resident visa requirements?
You must hold a Business Investor Work Visa and have actively and solvently operated the business for at least 12 months if you spent $2million on the business, or three years if you spent $1million buying the business.
You must spend at least 184 days inside New Zealand in each of the years that you operate the business. This is very likely to mean that you will become tax resident in New Zealand.
The business continues to employ at least five full-time equivalent employees and has created additional full-time employment for a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. You can bring your partner, as long as you are living together in a genuine and stable relationship. Dependent children aged up to and including 24 years can also be included.
How do I find a business to purchase?
Our commercial law team, experienced business brokerages, and accounting firms with whom we work can help you locate and evaluate appropriate businesses.
What should I be aware of?
You will need to prove that you have lawfully earned the funds you will use to buy the business. This will include tax documentation.
The three years of business experience must either be in your own business that has at least five employees or an annual revenue of NZ$1million, or it can be as senior management in a commercial business with at least five employees and an annual turnover of NZ$5million.
Once you have the visa, you can only change the business that you want to buy within the first six months and only if you were unable to buy the initial business.
You will need to engage with an accountant and a lawyer to demonstrate that you have completed the necessary due diligence.
Although the English language requirements are not onerous, for many people it will involve sitting one of five stipulated English language tests (IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, B2 First/B2 First for Schools or OET).
You and your family will need to get medical examinations completed by approved doctors and radiologists and obtain police clearance certificates.
Finally, as you are likely to become tax resident here, you need to get tax advice.
How do I get started?
Reach out to Duncan Cotterill! We have the immigration, commercial, and tax expertise to help. We can also connect you with a specialist accountant or business broker.
Special thanks to Partner Nicola Tiffen for preparing this article.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and not intended as a substitute for specific professional advice on any matter and should not be relied upon for that purpose.
