New Zealand Business Visas
Long-Term Business Visa
Who can apply:
Business people intending to establish a business in NZ.
What it entitles you to:
A 3-year work visa.
Terms & conditions:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have at least five years' successful business experience relevant to their proposal; that they have adequate assets to finance the new venture and to support themselves whilst the business is being established; they must also demonstrate that they have carefully researched the market and must submit a detailed business plan.
Further information:
The proposal must be shown to offer benefit to New Zealand. Once the business has been successfully established, permanent residence may be applied for. There is no age linit for applicants for this visa.
Business people intending to establish a business in NZ.
What it entitles you to:
A 3-year work visa.
Terms & conditions:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have at least five years' successful business experience relevant to their proposal; that they have adequate assets to finance the new venture and to support themselves whilst the business is being established; they must also demonstrate that they have carefully researched the market and must submit a detailed business plan.
Further information:
The proposal must be shown to offer benefit to New Zealand. Once the business has been successfully established, permanent residence may be applied for. There is no age linit for applicants for this visa.
Active Investor Visa - Global Investor Category
Who can apply:
Business people willing to invest at least NZ$20 million (of which $5 million must be actively invested) in New Zealand for a period of four years.
What it entitles you to:
Temporary residence until the end of the investment period, at which point it will become permanent.
Terms & conditions:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have at least five years' successful business experience and assets in excess of NZ$20 million; they must spend at least 73 days each year in New Zealand.
Further information:
There is no age limit for applicants for this category.
Business people willing to invest at least NZ$20 million (of which $5 million must be actively invested) in New Zealand for a period of four years.
What it entitles you to:
Temporary residence until the end of the investment period, at which point it will become permanent.
Terms & conditions:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have at least five years' successful business experience and assets in excess of NZ$20 million; they must spend at least 73 days each year in New Zealand.
Further information:
There is no age limit for applicants for this category.
Active Investor Visa - Professional Investor Category
Who can apply:
Business people (aged up to 64) willing to invest at least NZ$10 million (of which $2 million must be actively invested) in New Zealand for a period of four years.
What it entitles you to:
Temporary residence until the end of the investment period, at which point it will become permanent.
Terms & conditions:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have at least five years' successful business experience and assets in excess of NZ$12 million; they must spend at least 109 days each year in New Zealand.
Business people (aged up to 64) willing to invest at least NZ$10 million (of which $2 million must be actively invested) in New Zealand for a period of four years.
What it entitles you to:
Temporary residence until the end of the investment period, at which point it will become permanent.
Terms & conditions:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have at least five years' successful business experience and assets in excess of NZ$12 million; they must spend at least 109 days each year in New Zealand.
Active Investor Visa - General Investor Category
Who can apply:
Business people (aged up to 54) willing to invest at least NZ$2.5 million in New Zealand for a period of four years.
What it entitles you to:
Temporary residence until the end of the investment period, at which point it will become permanent.
Terms & conditions:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have at least five years' successful business experience and assets in excess of NZ$3.5 million; they must spend at least 146 days each year in New Zealand.
Further information:
In addition to the NZ$2.5 million investment, applicants must have a further NZ$1 million for settlement funds.
Business people (aged up to 54) willing to invest at least NZ$2.5 million in New Zealand for a period of four years.
What it entitles you to:
Temporary residence until the end of the investment period, at which point it will become permanent.
Terms & conditions:
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have at least five years' successful business experience and assets in excess of NZ$3.5 million; they must spend at least 146 days each year in New Zealand.
Further information:
In addition to the NZ$2.5 million investment, applicants must have a further NZ$1 million for settlement funds.









