The Entrepreneur Category is now closed to new applications for the Entrepreneur Work Visa.

If you have recently submitted an application for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, INZ 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.

If you already currently hold an Entrepreneur Work Visa:

Entrepreneur Work Visa holders will still be able to apply for residence, as the Entrepreneur Resident Visa will remain open.

If you need more time to meet the Entrepreneur residence requirements, you can still apply for an Entrepreneur Work Visa renewal to maintain your pathway to residence.

If you want to apply for a Business Investor Work Visa, you will need to submit a new application when the visa opens and pay the fees and levies.

The NZ Government has introduced a new Business Investor Visa to attract experienced investors, who will help grow New Zealand’s economy by actively running businesses.

The new Business Investor Visa:

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.

Applicants may also include their partner and dependent children in their application. 

Both options lead to eligibility to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.

A Business Investor Visa may be granted for up to 4 years.

The cost of the Business Investor Work Visa will be NZD $12,380. (This includes the visa application fee and immigration levy). 

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.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Business Investor work visa, applicants must:

• meet the minimum investment threshold
• show they have at least NZD $500,000 to support themselves (and their family if they are including them in their application) while establishing their business
• be aged 55 or younger when they apply
• meet English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent)
• meet health and character requirements
• meet business experience requirements
• invest in a business that meets the financial threshold and employs at least 5 full-time equivalent staff.

Business investment requirements:

The following business types are not acceptable business investments under this visa:

• businesses involved in:
• drop-shipping (Online with no stored goods)
• gambling
• the manufacturing of tobacco or other nicotine-based products, including vaping
• adult entertainment
• convenience stores (eg: corner dairies)
• businesses that offer immigration advisory services, or that were purchased from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), or where an LIA is materially involved
• discount or value stores (eg; NZD $2 shops)
• fast food outlets
• franchised businesses
• home-based businesses (businesses only operating from a residential address).

More information

INZ will be sharing more information about the Business Investor Visa in October, 2025. 

This will include information to help compare it with the Active Investor Plus Visa for those considering both options.