Business Investor Visa

Business Investor Visa New Zealand

The Business Investor Visa is a dedicated pathway for experienced businesspeople who want to buy, operate, and grow an established New Zealand business while working toward New Zealand residence.

This category is designed for investors who want to be genuinely involved in running a business, not passive shareholders. By injecting capital, management skills, and job creation into the local economy, investors help strengthen New Zealand’s SME sector while building a long-term future for their families.

Under this visa, eligible applicants receive a four-year work visa. During the first year, they must purchase an approved New Zealand business, transfer their investment funds lawfully, begin operating the business, and take an active managerial role. Once the business is running under their ownership, they must maintain its operations, meet staffing requirements, and ensure full compliance with tax, financial, and legal obligations.

To qualify, applicants must be 55 years of age or younger, meet English language, health, and character requirements, and demonstrate at least three years of credible business ownership or senior management experience. They must also have legally earned, unencumbered investment funds and maintain an additional NZD $500,000 in reserve funds. The business they purchase must have been operating in New Zealand for at least five years, employ a minimum of five full-time staff, and meet all employment and immigration standards.

There are two investment pathways. The standard pathway requires a minimum investment of NZD $1 million and three years of active business operation before the applicant can apply for residence. The fast-track pathway, for those investing NZD $2 million, allows an application for residence after twelve months of operation, provided all policy conditions continue to be met.

Throughout the operating period, investors must remain personally and actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business. They must also maintain the required five full-time employees and create one additional full-time role for a New Zealand citizen or resident. Once these conditions are satisfied, applicants may apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa, completing their pathway to life in New Zealand.

At Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd (IANZ), we assist investors with every stage of the process — from assessing eligibility and reviewing business options to preparing documentation, handling due diligence, supporting the acquisition process, and guiding applicants through compliance until residence is achieved.

You can click here to submit your interest to us – Click Here 

How Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd can help

• Eligibility & strategy session – align your profile, capital, and timelines with the right BIV track.
• Investment fit & role planning – confirm “established business” and your hands-on role meet policy intent.
• Document roadmap – source-of-funds, business case, company records, role description, compliance evidence.
• Risk & timelines – sequencing, dependants, and how BIV compares with other business pathways.
• Application preparation & representation – compile, quality-check, lodge, and liaise with INZ to decision.

What to prepare

• Passport + current visas (for you and family)
• Proof of funds & source of funds (bank statements, sale deeds, audited summaries)
• Professional/management experience (CV, references, role descriptions)
• Investment intent (sector, target size, location; basic info if you have a target business)
• Any NZ connections (advisers, brokers, accountants) you’re already speaking with

Our process

1. Discover call – your goals, timelines, investment range
2. Strategy & checklist – tailored BIV plan and evidence map
3. Document build – business case, SOF, role & compliance pack
4. Lodgement & liaison – we submit and represent you to INZ
5. Next steps – arrival planning, post-approval obligations, family support

Ready to explore your options?

Book a consultation with us. If you prefer WhatsApp, share your number and the best time to chat. Alternatively, email us with details about your country, capital range (1–2m+), and target timeline to receive a tailored callback.

Reach out to us at contact@nzimmigration.info, or call us at +64 9 379 0219.