New Zealand is overhauling its enterprise immigration pathways with the closure of the Entrepreneur Work Visa and the introduction of a brand new Enterprise Investor Visa geared toward skilled traders.
The transfer is designed to draw people who should purchase or develop present companies whereas contributing to the nation’s financial development.
The Entrepreneur Work Visa, beforehand meant for people in search of to ascertain new companies, is now formally closed to new candidates.
In response to Immigration New Zealand, the visa didn’t ship the outcomes they hoped for. The variety of functions was low, and plenty of have been declined.
Enterprise Investor Visa
The brand new Enterprise Investor Work Visa opens for functions in November 2025. It affords two funding choices:
- Make investments NZD $1 million in an present enterprise → You get a 3-year work-to-residence pathway.
- Make investments NZD $2 million in an present enterprise → You get a 12-month fast-track to residence.
Candidates might both buy a enterprise outright or purchase at the least 25% of an present enterprise, so long as they meet the minimal funding thresholds.
Each choices result in eligibility for the Enterprise Investor Resident Visa, permitting everlasting residence in New Zealand for profitable candidates.
Present candidates not instantly affected
“When you have lately submitted an software for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, we are going to course of it following the foundations that have been in place while you utilized.
“When you withdraw your software, you’ll not be eligible for a refund of any charges or levies already paid, whatever the cause in your withdrawal,” they mentioned
Entrepreneur Work Visa holders nonetheless retain their pathways to residence. These holding this visa can apply for residence by means of the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, and candidates needing extra time can apply for a renewal to increase your visa and proceed working towards residence.
What this implies
The outdated Entrepreneur Work Visa focused these beginning a brand-new enterprise. The brand new Enterprise Investor Visa, nevertheless, focuses on traders able to run and develop present companies. The federal government highlighted that the brand new visa gives less complicated and clearer guidelines, quicker processing, and a stronger hyperlink to job creation and financial development.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford defined the rationale, stating that the purpose is bringing abroad funding to keep up and create jobs, develop incomes, and breathe new life into present companies.
Relationship with Different Investor Visas
The Enterprise Investor Visa enhances the Energetic Investor Plus Visa, refreshed in April 2025, which targets high-value traders seeking to inject capital into New Zealand corporations. The up to date immigration settings now present a number of pathways:
“One for purchasing and rising present companies.”
“One other for investing capital extra broadly.”
- There may be additionally dialogue of a future visa for startup founders with progressive concepts, though particulars are nonetheless being developed.
Immigration New Zealand plans to launch extra detailed steerage in October 2025, protecting full visa necessities, comparisons with the Energetic Investor Plus Visa, and suggestions for getting ready functions forward of the November launch.
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