New Zealand · Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence in New Zealand
New Zealand separates residence into two steps. A resident visa allows an indefinite stay with travel conditions, and a Permanent Resident Visa removes those conditions after at least two years and a demonstrated commitment to the country.
- Startup route
- Business Investor Work Visa
- Minimum capital
- NZD 1 million in an established business
- Permanent residence
- Resident visa in 1–3 years; PRV after 2 more
- Citizenship
- 5 years as a resident, 240 days a year
Business Investor Resident Visa
Business Investor Work Visa holders apply for residence after running their business for three years if they invested at least NZD 1 million, or after 12 months if they invested NZD 2 million or more. They must have spent at least 184 days a year in New Zealand, kept their approved ownership share, employed at least five full-time equivalent staff plus one new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident held for 12 months, and stayed in the business bought during the Establishment stage. An accountant's solvency and tax assessment and a lawyer's compliance letter are required. Partners and children aged 16 or over must meet the English requirement.
- Timing
- After 3 years (NZD 1 million) or 12 months (NZD 2 million)
- Government fee
- From NZD 14,890
- Presence
- 184 days a year while on the work visa
- Travel conditions
- Free travel for 2 years, then a PRV or a variation
- Family
- Partner and children aged 24 or younger
Requirements
- Hold a current Business Investor Work Visa.
- Have spent at least 184 days a year in New Zealand while on the work visa.
- Employ five full-time equivalent staff plus one new full-time New Zealand job held for 12 months.
- Keep the approved ownership share and stay in the business bought during the Establishment stage.
- Provide an accountant's solvency and tax assessment and a lawyer's compliance letter.
How to apply
- Confirm you have run the business for the required period.
- Gather staffing, financial and legal compliance evidence, plus medical and police certificates.
- Apply online and pay the fee.
- If you used the 12-month route, keep running the business until three years in total.
Permanent Resident Visa
A Permanent Resident Visa removes all conditions from residence. Applicants must have held a resident visa continuously for at least two years, have met its conditions, be of good character, and show commitment to New Zealand in one of five ways, such as spending at least 184 days in the country in each of the last two years. Active Investor Plus holders can apply once the section 49 investment conditions are lifted, after 36 months in the Growth category or 60 months in the Balanced category. Business Investor residents can apply after two years on their resident visa. Immigration New Zealand decides 80% of applications within two weeks.
- Prior residence
- Resident visa held for 2 years in a row
- Commitment
- One of 5 ways, e.g. 184 days in each of the last 2 years
- Government fee
- From NZD 315
- Processing time
- 80% decided within 2 weeks
- Conditions
- None; live, work and travel freely
Requirements
- Hold a resident visa for at least two years in a row, current or expired no more than 90 days ago.
- Have met the conditions of that resident visa.
- Show commitment to New Zealand in one of the five accepted ways.
- Be of good character.
How to apply
- Wait until every requirement is met, because early applications can be declined.
- Gather travel records or other commitment evidence.
- Apply online and pay the fee.
Resident visa versus Permanent Resident Visa
Both statuses allow an indefinite stay, so the difference lies in travel and conditions. A resident visa from the Business Investor route lets the holder travel freely for two years; after that, re-entry needs either a variation of travel conditions or a Permanent Resident Visa. Active Investor Plus residents receive longer travel allowances of four years in the Growth category and six in Balanced. A Permanent Resident Visa carries no conditions at all, provided it sits in a valid passport, which suits investors who expect to spend long periods abroad.
Questions and answers
Do I need a Permanent Resident Visa before applying for New Zealand citizenship?
Usually not. Immigration New Zealand notes that after five years living in New Zealand as a resident, people can usually apply for citizenship without first obtaining a Permanent Resident Visa, provided they meet the presence requirement and each visa held allowed an indefinite stay.
When can Active Investor Plus investors apply for a Permanent Resident Visa?
Once the section 49 conditions tied to the investment are removed, which happens after 36 months in the Growth category or 60 months in the Balanced category. Investors must show the funds stayed invested, with evidence due at 24 months and at the end of the investment period.
What counts as commitment to New Zealand for a Permanent Resident Visa?
Immigration New Zealand accepts commitment shown in one of five ways. The time-based option requires at least 184 days in New Zealand in each of the last two years, proven by travel records; the other four options and their evidence are set out in Immigration New Zealand's commitment guidance.
Official sources
- Business Investor Resident Visa (Immigration New Zealand)www.immigration.govt.nz
- Permanent Resident Visa (Immigration New Zealand)www.immigration.govt.nz
- Active Investor Plus Visa (Immigration New Zealand)www.immigration.govt.nz
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in New Zealand.
Startup visa
No startup visa; Business Investor Work Visa replaced the Entrepreneur route
02Temporary residence
Work visa of up to 4 years while running a business with 5+ FTE staff
03Permanent residence
Resident visa after 12 months or 3 years; PRV after 2 years as resident
04Citizenship
Grant after 5 years' residence with 1,350 days present; dual allowed