New Zealand is making a major change to the way businesspeople can live and work in the country. The government has just announced the closure of the Entrepreneur Work Visa and introduced a new visa category, ‘Business Investor Visa‘, aimed at experienced investors who want to buy or grow an existing business.
Let’s look at the key changes in New Zealand’s new investor visa and what the closure of the Entrepreneur category means.
What’s Changing?
The Entrepreneur Work Visa is now officially closed to new applicants. This visa was intended for individuals seeking to establish their own business in New Zealand.
But according to Immigration New Zealand, it didn’t deliver the results they hoped for. The number of applications was low, and many were declined.
In its place, the government is creating a new pathway called the Business Investor Visa. This new visa focuses on people who already have experience running a business and are ready to invest real money into existing New Zealand companies.
What is the Business Investor Visa?
The Business Investor Work Visa will open for applications in November 2025. It has two investment options:
- Invest NZD $1 million in an existing business → You get a 3-year work-to-residence pathway
- Invest NZD $2 million in an existing business → You get a 12-month fast-track to residence
You don’t have to buy the whole company. You can either:
- Purchase a business outright, or
- Buy at least 25 per cent of an existing business
As long as you meet the minimum investment amount, you’re eligible.
Both options lead to the Business Investor Resident Visa, which allows you to live in New Zealand permanently if you meet all the requirements.
How Business Investor Visa Different from the old Entrepreneur Visa?
The old Entrepreneur Work Visa was aimed at people who wanted to start a brand-new business from scratch. The new Business Investor Visa focuses on people who want to invest in and run an existing business.
The government says this new visa has:
- Simpler and clearer rules
- Faster processing
- A stronger link to job creation and economic growth
In short, they want people who are ready to hit the ground running and help boost the economy.
What about people who already applied for the Entrepreneur Work Visa?
If you already submitted your application before the closure:
- Your application will still be processed under the old rules.
- If you withdraw your application, you won’t get a refund for any fees or levies you already paid.
If you currently hold an Entrepreneur Work Visa:
- You can still apply for residence through the Entrepreneur Resident Visa.
- If you need more time to meet the requirements, you can apply for a renewal to extend your visa and continue working toward residence.
How does this relate to other investor visas?
The new Business Investor Visa will sit alongside the Active Investor Plus Visa, which was updated in April 2025. That visa is aimed at high-value investors with large capital to invest in New Zealand companies.
The idea is to offer more than one route for different kinds of experienced businesspeople:
- One for buying and growing existing businesses
- Another for investing capital more broadly
There’s also talk of a new visa for startup founders with innovative business ideas, but details on that are still in development.
Why is New Zealand doing this?
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the goal is to attract investors who can:
- Keep existing businesses running
- Create new jobs
- Grow incomes across the country
In her words, this is about “bringing overseas investment to maintain and create jobs, grow incomes, and breathe new life into existing businesses.”
When Will More Details Be Available?
Immigration New Zealand plans to release more information in October 2025. That update will include:
- Full visa requirements
- How it compares with the Active Investor Plus Visa
- How to prepare your application ahead of the November launch
Quick Recap
| Visa Type | Status | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur Work Visa | Closed | No new applications accepted |
| Entrepreneur Resident Visa | Still open | Available for current Entrepreneur Work Visa holders |
| Business Investor Work Visa | Opens Nov 2025 | Invest $1 m (3-year path) or $2 m (12-month fast track) in existing business |
| Active Investor Plus Visa | Open | For high-value investors, refreshed April 2025 |
Final Thoughts
New Zealand is shifting its focus. Instead of giving visas to people who want to start small businesses from scratch, it now wants experienced investors who can step into existing businesses and grow them.
If you’re planning to invest in New Zealand and want to live there, the new Business Investor Visa could be your path in. But it’s smart to start preparing now. Applications won’t open until November 2025, but more details are expected in October. Stay tuned!
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