Investment & Business Visa Categories
The new Investor Categories are hitting a sweet spot with investors looking for New Zealand Residency. In just 6 months to October 2025, over 250 applicants have been approved in principle!
The most popular option is the Growth Category. This is more affordable and achievable than you may think. It requires only 21 days to be spent in New Zealand over 3 years and only NZ$5million invested for 3 years.
For a confidential discussion, direct email Graydon Sharratt (Head of investment team) on [email protected] and he can arrange a time to talk through your options.
Graydon Sharratt
Licensed Immigration Adviser – IAA 200900399
Migrant Investment Visas
Visa Categories
The Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa category incentivises high-value investment in New Zealand to stimulate economic growth. This visa can also include your family, such as your spouse/partner and any dependent children under the age of 25 years old.
The visa is structured into two categories:
- Growth Category: Designed for higher-risk investments, such as managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. A minimum investment amount of NZD $5 million is required over a 3-year investment term.
- Balanced Category: Allows for diversified investments, including bonds and certain property investments. A minimum investment amount of NZD $10 million is required over a 5-year investment term.
You can switch between the Growth and Balanced categories only once. Growth category applicants can re-invest up to NZD $1 million of returned capital into balanced category investments in limited circumstances.
Residency and Investment Timeframes
To get an AIP visa, you must spend a certain amount of time in New Zealand during the investment term. For the Growth Category, this is 21 days over 3 years. For the Balanced Category, this is 105 days over 5 years but can be reduced if you invest more. You must spend:
- 91 days in New Zealand if you invest at least NZD $11 million
- 77 days in New Zealand if you invest at least NZD $12 million
- 63 days in New Zealand if you invest at least NZD $13 million
The additional funds above NZD $10 million must be nominated before the application is approved and placed in acceptable investments under the Growth Category.
Investments must be completed within six months of approval, with a possible one-time six-month extension if you can show you tried but couldn’t transfer and invest your funds.
There are no maximum investment limits for different investment types.
An acceptable investment for the Active Investor Plus Visa must be:
- Not for personal use
- Invested in New Zealand in New Zealand currency
Explore Your Investment Options
The NZTE website has detailed information on investment options in New Zealand. “On-call investments” can be made for funds committed to managed funds. These can be placed in acceptable investments (bonds, term deposits, listed equities, bank accounts) until they are “called on” by the managed fund.
There are no English requirements for the Active Investor Plus visa, but all applicants must meet Immigration New Zealand’s health and character requirements.
Contact Greenstone Immigration today to explore how these changes can benefit you and your investment plans in New Zealand.
Business Investor Visa
New Zealand’s Business Investor Visa offers a streamlined pathway to residence for experienced entrepreneurs ready to contribute to the local economy. With investment options starting from NZD $1 million, this visa allows applicants to either purchase or co-own an existing New Zealand business. Successful applicants can gain residence in as little as 12 months, depending on their investment level. The visa supports family inclusion and is ideal for those seeking to live, invest, and grow in New Zealand.
The Business Investor Work Visa category will open for applications in November 2025. To qualify for New Zealand’s Business Investor Visa, applicants must meet a range of criteria designed to ensure genuine, high-value investment into the local economy. Investors must commit a minimum of NZD $1 million into an existing New Zealand business for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway, or NZD $2 million for a 12-month fast-track to residence. Both options lead to eligibility to apply for a Business Investor Resident Visa.
Eligibility and Financial Requirements
Applicants must also demonstrate access to at least NZD $500,000 in personal funds to support themselves and any accompanying family members. Additional requirements include being 55 years of age or younger, meeting English language standards (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent), and having relevant business experience. The business invested in must employ at least five full-time staff and cannot fall into excluded categories such as drop-shipping, gambling, tobacco, or home-based businesses.
The visa is valid for 4 years and costs NZD$ 12,380 including the immigration levy.
This visa offers a clear and structured path to residence for investors committed to actively managing and growing a business in New Zealand.
Entrepreneur Work Visa
The Entrepreneur Work Visa has now closed for applications.
If you submitted an Entrepreneur Work Visa application before the closure, it will still be processed under the old rules. If you currently hold an Entrepreneur Work Visa, you can still:
- Apply for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, or
- Apply for a renewal to maintain your pathway to residence.
Employee of a relocating business
If you are a crucial employee of a business that is moving to New Zealand, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will be able to support your relocation efforts. This category may be the right one for you, but only if you cannot qualify for residence under any other criteria.
If you include your family members in your relocation application, we can provide them with visitor or student visas while you complete the process of relocating the business.
“We are very pleased with the outcome and how case was managed from the beginning. Application was expected to be lodged with a tight deadline and it was lodged well within the expected time limit. Steven was very supportive and he has demonstrated good IT knowledge and we think that his subject knowledge helped to get through the application. We would like to recommend Greenstone Immigration for any work visa related consultancy service.”
Dilan Prasad – Projet Manager, Pepper Creative Limited