New Zealand has introduced the Business Investor Work Visa, a new golden visa scheme designed to attract global investors by offering a pathway to residency through business investment.
The program includes two investment routes:
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NZD 1 million for a three-year work-to-residency pathway, or
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NZD 2 million for an accelerated one-year residency route.
Applicants must also possess at least NZD 500,000 for personal and family expenses and demonstrate credible business experience, such as running a business with NZD 1 million annual revenue or employing five full-time workers. Spouses and dependent children can be included in the application.
The scheme excludes investments in industries such as gambling, fast food, and tobacco.
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This new visa complements the existing Active Investor Plus Visa, which demands investments ranging from NZD 5–10 million, but provides a direct route to permanent residency for investors and their families.
According to Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, the initiative seeks to attract entrepreneurs willing to actively operate businesses in New Zealand. The government is also working on new visa categories for startup founders and digital nomads, enabling more flexible or temporary stays.
Applications for the Business Investor Work Visa open on November 24, 2025, creating structured opportunities for global investors to live, work, and eventually secure permanent residency in the country.
