New Zealand · Temporary Residence
New Zealand Residence for Founders and Investors
New Zealand's investor routes take two shapes. The Business Investor Work Visa is a temporary stay while running a purchased business, while Active Investor Plus grants a resident visa straight away to people who invest NZD 5 million or more.
- 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 Work Visa (conditions of stay)
Holders of the Business Investor Work Visa live in New Zealand on a temporary visa of up to four years, starting with a 12-month Establishment stage followed by an Operating stage. They must remain self-employed in the business type named on the visa and may study for up to three months in any 12 months. Entry and exit are unlimited while the visa is valid. A partner can obtain a work visa and dependent children a student or visitor visa, and family members do not need to meet the English requirement until residence. One further Business Investor Work Visa of up to two years is available if more time is needed to meet residence requirements.
- Stay
- Up to 4 years
- Further visa
- One more, up to 2 years, if needed for residence
- Presence
- 184 days a year in New Zealand to qualify for residence
- Work
- Self-employed in the nominated business type
- Partner
- Work visa
- Children
- Student or visitor visa
Requirements
- Show the business purchase and active management within the first nine months.
- Keep at least the ownership share originally approved.
- Maintain five full-time equivalent staff and keep the business solvent.
- Create and keep one new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident for 12 months.
- Spend at least 184 days a year in New Zealand.
How to apply
- Submit evidence of purchase and operation during the Establishment stage.
- Run the business through the Operating stage while meeting staffing and presence conditions.
- Apply for a further work visa if more time is needed, or move to residence.
Active Investor Plus Visa
Active Investor Plus is a resident visa for people who place large sums in New Zealand. The Growth category needs at least NZD 5 million held for 36 months in direct investments or managed funds accepted by Invest New Zealand, with philanthropy allowed up to 20%. The Balanced category needs at least NZD 10 million held for 60 months and accepts a wider mix, including listed equities, bonds and certain property developments. Investors must spend 21 days in New Zealand over the Growth period or 105 days over the Balanced period. In the Balanced category, each extra NZD 1 million in Growth investments cuts the presence requirement by 14 days, up to 42 days. A partner and children aged 24 or younger can be included.
- Growth
- NZD 5 million for 36 months; 21 days in New Zealand
- Balanced
- NZD 10 million for 60 months; 105 days in New Zealand
- Government fee
- From NZD 27,470
- Investment window
- 6 months after approval in principle to invest
- Family
- Partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger
- Leads to
- Permanent Resident Visa after 36 or 60 months
Requirements
- Invest at least NZD 5 million in the Growth category or NZD 10 million in the Balanced category.
- Use acceptable investments; Growth direct investments and managed funds must be accepted by Invest New Zealand.
- Keep philanthropy to no more than 20% of the Growth total.
- Transfer and invest the funds within six months of approval in principle.
- Meet the minimum days in New Zealand for your category.
How to apply
- Choose a category and nominate acceptable investments.
- Apply and receive approval in principle.
- Transfer and invest the funds within six months, then receive the resident visa.
- Provide evidence at 24 months and at the end of the investment period.
Comparing the two investor routes
The routes demand different commitments. Business Investor holders must be in New Zealand for at least 184 days a year and run a company with at least five staff, but the capital threshold starts at NZD 1 million. Active Investor Plus requires five to ten times more capital yet asks for only 21 or 105 days in the country over several years, and the investor does not manage a business. For a founder with an exit behind them, the choice turns on whether they want to operate a company in New Zealand or hold a portfolio there.
Questions and answers
Is Active Investor Plus a temporary or a permanent visa?
It is a resident visa that allows an indefinite stay from the start. Conditions apply while the money stays invested, and once they are removed after 36 months for Growth or 60 months for Balanced, the investor can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.
Can family members work on a Business Investor Work Visa?
Partners included in the application may receive a work visa, and dependent children can receive a student or visitor visa. Family members do not need to meet the English requirement at the work visa stage, but they must meet it, or pay for English classes, before a resident visa is granted.
Does Active Investor Plus accept property?
Only in the Balanced category, which accepts new residential, commercial or industrial property developments and existing commercial or industrial property, alongside listed equities, bonds, managed funds, direct investments and limited philanthropy. The Growth category is limited to direct investments, managed funds and philanthropy.
Official sources
- Business Investor Work Visa (Immigration New Zealand)www.immigration.govt.nz
- Active Investor Plus Visa (Immigration New Zealand)www.immigration.govt.nz
- Business Investor Resident 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