The Business Investor Work Visa will open for applications in November 2025 and offer 2 investment options:
- NZD $1 million investment in an existing business, for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway
- NZD $2 million investment in an existing business, for a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway
Applicants can purchase a business outright on either visa pathway or acquire at least 25% of the business, provided they meet the minimum $1 million or $2 million investment thresholds.
Both options lead to eligibility to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.
The Business Investor Work Visa complements the Active Investor Plus Visa, which was refreshed in April 2025, and is part of a broader update to business immigration settings to attract investment, talent, and international connections.
Entrepreneur Category closure
The Entrepreneur Category is now closed to new applications for the Entrepreneur Work Visa.
If you have applied for an Entrepreneur Work Visa
If you have recently submitted an application for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, we will process it following the rules that were in place when you applied.
If you withdraw your application, you will not be eligible for a refund of any fees or levies already paid, regardless of the reason for your withdrawal.
The Entrepreneur Work Visa is now closed to applications from new migrants. This is part of a refresh of our business visa settings.
As you have an application for an Entrepreneur Work Visa already in progress, it will continue to be processed based on instructions that applied at the time you made the application.
If you choose to withdraw your application, you will not be eligible for a refund of any fees or levies already paid. This applies regardless of the reason for withdrawal.
New Business Investor Visa launching
The Government has announced a new Business Investor Visa, which provides a pathway to residence for migrants who are ready to invest in, operate and grow established businesses in New Zealand.The Business Investor Visa opens for applications in November 2025.
If granted, an Entrepreneur Work Visa gives the holder permission to live in New Zealand and to work in the business specified in their visa application, as well as the right to undertake up to 3 months of study in any 12-month period.
Applicants are permitted to include their partner and/or dependent children in their application, providing that they also meet the identity, character and health requirements.
Holders of this visa are permitted to travel to and from New Zealand freely for the duration of their visa.
An Entrepreneur Work Visa is valid for an initial period of 12 months, extendable for a further 24 months on the condition that the holder proves that they have set up their business in New Zealand or will do within a reasonable time. In order to remain in New Zealand beyond the maximum three years of this visa, holders may want to consider applying for another work visa, or a residence visa such as the Entrepreneur Resident Visa.
Once you have gathered your supporting evidence and information, applications for an Entrepreneur Work Visa can be submitted online. Around 80% of applications receive a decision within ten months.
How much your application will cost depends on your nationality, and can range from zero up to NZD $12380.
Mohamed Anas Sirajur Raheem
BA (Political Studies), LLB (VUW)
Mohamed is an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, specializing in immigration law.
He is a former New Zealand Immigration Officer (Visa Services) and Border Officer at Auckland International Airport. He has several years of experience working in various Government Departments in New Zealand and has also worked as a Licensed Immigration Adviser at a prominent New Zealand Immigration firm.
His areas of expertise and interest are in the fields of General Skilled Migration, Temporary Work (Long and Short Stay), Business visas, Partner, Parent and Child Visa streams.
Mohamed was inspired to pursue a career in immigration by his own migration experiences. Over the years he has assisted individuals, families, large corporations, Professional sportspeople, and Entertainers (singers, speakers, and actors) to come to New Zealand.
