Skilled and experienced investors with capital to help grow New Zealand businesses

Hands-on business owners who want to actively run the business they invest in

 The Active Investor Plus Visa requires investment in one of the following categories:

• Growth category: NZD $5 million or more — focuses on higher-risk investments, including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses.
• Balanced category: NZD $10 million or more — focuses on mixed investments, with the ability to choose ones that are lower risk.

The Business Investor Work Visa requires an investment in an existing New Zealand business of:

• NZD $1 million or more, for the 3-year work-to-residence pathway, or
• NZD $2 million or more, for the 12-month fast-track to residence pathway.

Some business types or activities are excluded (for example, gambling, tobacco, fast food or franchises).

The business property value is not counted in the investment total.

Must maintain 5 full-time jobs and create at least 1 new job for a New Zealand citizen or resident

For the Growth category, at least 21 days over the minimum 3-year investment period

For the Balanced category, at least 105 days over the minimum 5-year investment period (which can be reduced by investing more in direct and managed fund investments)

Must spend at least 184 days a year in New Zealand from the first day of running the business

55 years or younger at the time of applying

Must provide evidence showing you have at least 3 years of acceptable business experience

Must provide evidence of at least NZD $500,000 in reserve funds to support yourself (and your family, if applicable) in New Zealand

IELTS 5.0 or equivalent

Up to 4 years

NZD $12,380

The Active Investor Plus Visa is a resident visa.

You can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after keeping your funds in New Zealand for:

• 3 years if you invest under the Growth category, or
• 5 years if you invest under the Balanced category.

You must have met all the conditions of your Active Investor Plus Visa (such as time in New Zealand requirements).

You can apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa after:

• 12 months with the NZD $2 million or more investment option, or
• 3 years with the NZD $1 million or more investment option.

During this timeframe, you must also:

• have actively operated the business
• have maintained 5 full-time equivalent jobs and created at least 1 new full-time equivalent job for a New Zealand citizen or resident
• have spent at least 184 days a year in New Zealand from the first day of running the business
• meet other employment and financial conditions
• have continued to meet all the conditions of your Business Investor Work Visa.

A Business Investor Resident Visa costs NZD $14,890.