Business Investor Work Visa in New Zealand
The Business Investor Work Visa allows experienced business people to come to New Zealand, buy or invest in an eligible business and actively run it.
This is the first stage of the Business Investor pathway, replacing the old Entrepreneur visa category. INZ checks your investment amount, business type, job impact, business plan, English level and your ability to contribute to the New Zealand economy.
Who this visa suits
You may be suitable if you
• Have owned or managed a business before
• Plan to buy or invest in a trading New Zealand business
• Can actively run or manage the business (not a passive investor)
• Have enough capital to support the business and living costs
• Want a pathway that can lead to residence if you meet performance tests later
INZ expects applicants to genuinely be involved in day-to-day or strategic management and to help grow or sustain local jobs.
What you can do on a Business Investor Work Visa
Work and operate your business
You can enter New Zealand, complete your business purchase, work in the business you have invested in and carry out management or operational duties.
Include your family
Your partner and dependent children may be included if they meet health, character and English requirements.
Prepare your residence track
Your business records under this visa will be used later to assess whether you qualify for the Business Investor Resident Visa.
Performance is based on what you actually do, not only the business plan.
What Immigration New Zealand checks
Business type and quality
• Must be an active, trading business
• Cannot be mainly property investment or passive holding
• Must show commercial viability
Investment amount and source of funds
• Minimum investment amounts must be met
• Funds must be lawfully earned
• Transfers must be clearly documented
Your role in the business
• INZ checks whether you will genuinely manage or run the business
• Passive or hands-off roles are not accepted
Job impact
• Whether the business can create or maintain New Zealand jobs now or in future
• Payroll, staffing and HR structure will be reviewed over time
English, health, character and bona fide
• English language test/waiver
• Standard health and character
• Whether you genuinely intend to operate long-term
Missing evidence in any of these areas can lead to delays, extra questions or refusal.
Common issues in Business Investor Work Visa applications
These issues can be fixed early if identified before lodgement.
• Buying a business at an unrealistic price
• No independent accountant or legal due diligence
• Over-optimistic revenue or job projections
• Investment structure that does not meet acceptable investment rules
• Insufficient evidence of business experience
• Funds lacking a clear and traceable source
• Applicant not clearly shown as an active manager or operator
How we support Business Investor Work Visa applicants
Step 1: Verify your pathway
We check if the Business Investor Work Visa matches your capital level, risk tolerance, business background and family situation.
Step 2: Align business and immigration strategy
We work with your accountant, broker or lawyer to ensure the business purchase and investment structure match INZ’s policy requirements.
We do not provide financial advice — our job is immigration law compliance.
Step 3: Prepare a decision-ready file
We help build clear evidence for:
• your business experience
• your role in the business
• source of funds
• investment transfer
• job plan
• compliance records
And respond to INZ questions if required.