New Zealand has unveiled its Business Investor Work Visa, a new golden visa program that allows foreign investors to gain residency by investing in local businesses.
The program offers two options: invest NZD 1 million for a three-year work-to-residency track, or NZD 2 million for an expedited one-year path.
Applicants must also have at least NZD 500,000 to cover personal and family expenses and demonstrate business experience, such as owning a company with annual revenue of NZD 1 million or employing at least five full-time staff.
Eligible investors can include their spouse and dependent children. However, the visa excludes certain sectors, including gambling, fast food, and tobacco-related businesses.
The Business Investor Work Visa complements New Zealand’s existing Active Investor Plus Visa, which requires higher investments of NZD 5–10 million, but allows permanent residency for investors and their families.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford noted that the new program aims to attract entrepreneurs willing to actively run businesses in New Zealand.
The government is also developing visa options for startup entrepreneurs and digital nomads seeking temporary or flexible stays.
Applications open on November 24, 2025, providing a structured pathway for global investors to live, work, and eventually secure permanent residency in New Zealand.
LOOKS GOOD FOR THE ELITE CLASS BUT NOT FOR THE SKILLED AND THE COMMONS.