New ZealandStarting a business
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
This route is for business investors and company owners who want to invest in and operate a business in New Zealand.
Apply for this visa if you want to invest in and operate a business in New Zealand.
An established nominated business must be purchased: it must have been trading for at least 5 years, be lawful and currently operating in New Zealand, comply with immigration, employment and business standards, have a purchase price of at least NZD $1 million (not including property value or GST) resulting in at least 25% ownership, employ at least 5 full-time equivalent staff, and not already be owned by the applicant or any family member. A completed Business Proposal form must demonstrate this and describe the due diligence undertaken.
The business you invest in must: have been trading for at least 5 years be lawful and currently operating in New Zealand comply with immigration, employment and business standards have a purchase price of at least NZD $1 million (not including property value or goods and services tax (GST)) that would result in you owning at least 25% of the business employ at least 5 full-time equivalent staff not already be owned by yourself or any family member
a completed Business Proposal form, demonstrating that your nominated business meets the above requirements and describing the due diligence undertaken
The applicant must show they can invest at least NZD $1 million in an established business under the standard pathway, or NZD $2 million under the fast-track pathway, and must have at least NZD $500,000 in reserve funds to support themselves (and family, if applicable) while running and growing the business; reserve funds must be on top of the investment. Funds or assets cannot be borrowed (except in certain circumstances) or have a loan or bond against them.
show us you can invest at least: NZD $1 million in an established business, if you apply under the standard pathway, or NZD $2 million in an established business, if you are applying under the fast-track pathway
You must have at least NZD $500,000 in reserve funds to support yourself (and your family, if applicable) while you are running and growing your business in New Zealand.
Your reserve funds must be on top of the investment you will make.
Your funds or assets cannot be borrowed (except in certain circumstances) or have a loan or bond against them.
The visa lets the holder live and work in New Zealand, invest in and run an established business, study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period and include a partner and dependent children in the application. The holder must remain self-employed in New Zealand in the type of business named on the visa. A partner may be granted a work visa and dependent children a student or visitor visa, depending on their needs.
This visa lets you: live and work in New Zealand invest in and run an established business study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period include your partner and dependent children in your visa application.
You must remain self-employed in New Zealand in the type of business named on your visa.
A partner may be granted a work visa, and dependent children may be granted a student or visitor visa, depending on their needs.
The visa is valid for up to 4 years: an Establishment stage within the first 12 months to purchase and start running the nominated business, then an Operating stage for the rest of the 4 years. One renewal of up to 2 years can be applied for if more time is needed to meet Business Investor Resident Visa requirements. With at least NZD $1 million invested in an established business, a resident visa may be available after 3 years of running it (standard pathway); with at least NZD $2 million, after 12 months (fast-track pathway).
A Business Investor Work Visa is valid for up to 4 years, which includes the: Establishment stage — within the first 12 months — to purchase your nominated business and start running it Operating stage — the rest of the 4 years — to continue running and growing the business in New Zealand.
You can apply for 1 more Business Investor Work Visa (known as a 'renewal') of up to 2 years, if you need more time to meet the requirements of a Business Investor Resident Visa.
NZD $1 million in an established business, you may be eligible for a resident visa after 3 years of running the business — standard pathway NZD $2 million in an established business, you may be eligible for a resident visa after 12 months of running the business — fast-track pathway.
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.