Current Status Summary
New Zealand currently offers a mix of active, closed, and upcoming entrepreneur and investor visa pathways. The Entrepreneur Work Visa is currently closed as of August 2025 and previously required a minimum investment of NZ$100,000, while the Global Impact Visa has been closed since 2020 and operated under a fellowship-based model. The Business Investor Visa is open as of November 2025 and is limited to existing businesses with an investment requirement of NZ$1–2 million. The Active Investor Plus Visa remains open, requiring a higher investment range of NZ$5–10 million. Additionally, the Startup Entrepreneur Visa is under development, with final investment requirements yet to be announced.
Business Investor Visa (November 2025)
The Business Investor Visa is New Zealand’s new pathway for experienced business people, but it requires investment in existing established businesses, not new startups.
Two Pathways:
Key Features:
Former Entrepreneur Work Visa (CLOSED)
The Entrepreneur Work Visa operated from 2015 until August 2025 with these requirements:
Closure Rationale: Immigration Minister Erica Stanford cited “low application volumes, high decline rates, and failure to deliver strong economic impacts.”
Announced Startup Pathway (Under Development)
Minister Stanford confirmed the government is “developing a visa pathway for startup entrepreneurs with scalable, innovative business ideas, designed to complement existing settings and complete the suite.”
What We Know:
Investment Requirements:
The visa requires a minimum investment of NZ$1 million under the standard route or NZ$2 million under the fast-track option, with funds invested in an established New Zealand business. Applicants must either complete a full acquisition of the business or hold a minimum 25% shareholding to qualify.
Applicant Criteria:
Applicants must be 55 years or younger at the time of application and demonstrate relevant business experience, either by owning a business with at least five full-time employees or by operating a business generating NZ$1 million in annual revenue. In addition, applicants must show NZ$500,000 in settlement funds to cover living and relocation expenses, meet English language requirements with an IELTS score of 5.0 or equivalent, and satisfy all health and character criteria. Applicants must also have no recent history of bankruptcy or business fraud.
Target Business Requirements:
The business must have been operational for at least five years, meet the required financial thresholds, employ a minimum of five full-time equivalent staff, and operate within approved sectors, excluding any restricted or prohibited industries.
Excluded Business Types:
The following business types are excluded from eligibility: adult entertainment businesses, convenience stores, discount or value retail outlets (such as “$2 shops”), drop-shipping operations, fast food outlets, franchised businesses, gambling establishments, home-based businesses, immigration advisory services, and tobacco or nicotine retail businesses.
Ongoing Obligations:
Visa holders must create and maintain at least one new full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident for a minimum of 12 months, while also maintaining a minimum workforce of five full-time employees. The required investment level must be sustained throughout the visa period, and applicants must continuously demonstrate business solvency. In addition, visa holders are required to spend at least 184 days per year in New Zealand and maintain active, hands-on involvement in the day-to-day operations of the business.
For entrepreneurs with substantial capital seeking a more passive pathway:
Growth Category (NZ$5 million):
Balanced Category (NZ$10 million):
Key Features:
The visa offers two residence pathways based on investment level. Under the Standard pathway, applicants must invest NZ$1,000,000 and may qualify for residence after three years. The Fast-Track pathway requires a higher investment of NZ$2,000,000, allowing applicants to become eligible for residence in just 12 months.
Contact Deep Visa to discuss your New Zealand startup visa application
