In August 2025 the New Zealand Government announced an update to business immigration policy: the introduction of the Business Investor Visa (BIV), and the closure of the Entrepreneur Category to new Entrepreneur Work Visa applications. The stated aim is to attract people with business experience and capital who will invest in, run and grow existing New Zealand businesses, supporting jobs, incomes and business growth.
This article summarises the key points and transitional arrangements in that announcement. The article date is not the same as the date the visa opened or took effect; when applying, rely on the immigration instructions, visa pages and case requirements in force at the time.
01. The Business Investor Visa (BIV)
The announcement stated that the Business Investor Visa would open for applications in November 2025, offering a pathway to residence for people who invest in and actively run an existing New Zealand business.
| Investment amount | Investment type | Pathway to residence |
|---|---|---|
| NZD 1,000,000 | Existing business | 3-year work-to-residence pathway |
| NZD 2,000,000 | Existing business | 12-month fast track |
Both pathways ultimately lead to eligibility to apply for a Business Investor Resident Visa. The investment amounts, pathways and eligibility described in the announcement should be checked against the rules in force when you apply.
02. The two investment pathways
NZD 1 million pathway: invest NZD 1,000,000 in an existing business and follow a 3-year work-to-residence pathway.
NZD 2 million pathway: invest NZD 2,000,000 in an existing business and follow a 12-month fast track.
The two pathways differ in the investment amount and in the timeframe to residence set out in the announcement. Neither should be read as a guarantee of any application outcome or processing time.
03. How to invest in a business
Applicants can buy all of the shares in a business, or acquire at least 25% of the shares, to meet the investment requirement. Whichever option you choose, the business, the investment and the operating arrangements must be checked against the applicable rules.
The Business Investor Visa and the Active Investor Plus Visa (often called the "golden visa") are complementary business immigration pathways. The announcement also noted that the Active Investor Plus Visa was updated in April 2025; the two pathways involve different types of investment and different levels of involvement.
04. Entrepreneur Category closed
With the introduction of the Business Investor Visa, the Entrepreneur Category has closed and no new Entrepreneur Work Visa applications are being accepted. The announcement gave low application numbers, high decline rates and limited economic benefit as the background to the Government's decision. These are the Government's stated reasons, not our own assessment.
05. What current Entrepreneur Work Visa holders can do
According to the announcement, current Entrepreneur Work Visa holders can still apply for an Entrepreneur Resident Visa if they meet the applicable requirements. If they need more time to meet the residence requirements, they can apply for a further Entrepreneur Work Visa to keep their pathway to residence open.
Entrepreneur Work Visa applications already lodged will continue to be processed under the rules that applied when they were lodged. Applicants who choose to withdraw their application will not receive a refund of the fees and levies paid.
06. The future direction of business immigration
The announcement also mentioned that the Government is exploring a possible new visa pathway for start-up entrepreneurs, aimed at applicants with scalable, innovative business ideas. This is a pathway under consideration or being planned, not a visa category that is open now.
According to the announcement, this possible new pathway would complement the Business Investor Visa and the Active Investor Plus Visa. Whether it opens, and its requirements and timing, will depend on a formal announcement.
A note from Leader
Business and investor immigration usually involves checking the visa category, the business or investment structure, the business plan, funds and timeline together. If you are considering the BIV, AIP or the transitional arrangements for the Entrepreneur Category, first make sure whether you are relying on a past announcement or the rules currently in force, then decide how to prepare.