The New Zealand Government has ended the Entrepreneur Work Visa program and will introduce a new Business Investor Work Visa starting in November 2025.
The new visa is created to attract investors who will actively manage businesses and contribute to the country’s economic growth, as announced by Immigration New Zealand on August 27th, 2025
The Business Investor Work Visa offers two investment pathways for applicants:
Investing NZD $1 million in an existing business, which leads to a three-year pathway to residency.
Investing NZD $2 million in an existing business, which offers a faster 12-month route to residency.
Applicants can either buy a business outright or acquire a minimum 25% share, provided they meet the investment amount for the chosen pathway. The visa also covers the main applicant and allows for partners and dependent children to be included.
It is valid for up to four years and carries a total cost of NZD $12,380, which includes the visa fee and immigration levy.
Requirements for Applicants
- To be eligible for the Business Investor Work Visa, applicants must:
- Meet the investment minimum of NZD $1 million or NZD $2 million.
- Have access to NZD $500,000 or more for living expenses while setting up the business, including for any family members included.
- Be aged 55 or younger at the time of application.
- Pass English language tests at an IELTS 5.0 level or equivalent.
- Satisfy health and character checks.
- Have relevant business experience.
- Invest in a business that employs at least five full-time equivalent staff and meets certain financial criteria.
Businesses Not Eligible for Investment
Several business types are excluded from qualifying for this visa. These include:
- Drop-shipping companies.
- Gambling businesses.
- Tobacco or nicotine product manufacturing, including vaping.
- Adult entertainment venues.
- Convenience stores such as dairies.
- Businesses related to immigration advisory services or involving Licensed Immigration Advisers.
- Discount stores like NZD $2 shops.
- Fast food franchises.
- Home-based businesses operating solely from residential addresses.
Transition from Entrepreneur Work Visa to Business Investor Visa
Details reveal that the Entrepreneur Work Visa is no longer open for new applications. Applications submitted before the closure will be processed under the existing rules. Immigration New Zealand clarified that withdrawing an application will not result in any refund of fees.
Current holders of the Entrepreneur Work Visa can still apply for residence through the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, which remains available. They may also renew their Entrepreneur Work Visa if additional time is needed to meet residence requirements.
Individuals interested in the new Business Investor Work Visa must submit new applications when it opens in November 2025 and pay the applicable fees.
Next Steps
Immigration New Zealand noted further information about the Business Investor Visa will be shared in October, including comparisons with the Active Investor Plus Visa, which was updated earlier in April 2025 as part of wider changes to business immigration policies.
More information on the Business Investor Visa is available on the New Zealand Government’s Beehive website: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-business-investor-visa-support-growth.
