Entrepreneur Work Visa

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.

An Entrepreneur Work Visa is suitable for individuals who want to move to New Zealand to set up or buy their own business.  To be successful, applicants must have at least NZD $100,000 to invest, a viable business plan, and be able to meet the minimum points total to qualify for this visa.

This visa may be an appropriate alternative option to those who would have previously been eligible to apply for the Global Impact Work Visa prior to the closing of applications for the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.

Individuals who have already established a business or been working as self-employed in New Zealand may instead be eligible for an Entrepreneur Resident Visa.

In order to qualify for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, you must:

• demonstrate that you intend to invest at least NZD $100,000 of capital in a business in New Zealand
  • exemptions to the NZD $100,000 requirement may be considered if, for example, the business is in an innovative or high-value export sector
• provide a viable business plan no more than three months old, with up-to-date financial information if your intention is to invest in an existing business
• commit to starting your business and making the minimum capital investment within 12 months of the start date of any visa issued
• Speak and understand English
• meet the minimum health and character requirements for a visa to New Zealand

You must also score at least 120 points on the points scale for this visa. Points are awarded based on your individual circumstances and typically based on the following criteria:

• Planned capital investment
  • +10 points for each additional NZD $100,000 above the minimum requirement, up to 50 points for an investment of NZD $500,000 to NZD $749,000.
  • Investments of NZD $750,000 to NZD $999,999 would earn 60 points
  • Investments of NZD $1,000,000 or more would earn 80 points
• Previous business experience
  • +5 points for at least three years’ experience running any other business, +10 for between five and nine years up to a maximum of 20 points for ten years’ experience or more
  • +20 points for at least three years’ experience running a similar business, +30 for between five and nine years up to a maximum of 40 points for ten years’ experience or more
  • +5 points for at least five years’ experience as a senior manager in a similar business, up to a maximum of +10 points for ten years’ experience or more
• Job creation
  • +10 points if your business will create one full-time job, increasing to a potential maximum of +80 points if your business will create at least ten full-time jobs
• Export turnover
  • +10 points if your business will turnover at least NZD $200,000 in exports per annum, up to a potential maximum of +80 points for exports of over NZD $1,000,000
• Business location
  • +40 points if you intend to start your business outside of the Auckland area
• Age
  • +15 points if you are aged 24 or younger
  • +20 points if you are aged 25 to 49
  • +10 points if you are aged 50 to 59