After Muted Demand, New Zealand Opens Business Investor Visa to Franchises and Gifted Funds
July 7, 2026
The government explicitly barred franchises at launch. Seven months and “a single approval” later, it is changing course.
This program closed in 2025. This page is for archival information purposes only.
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
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Program Type:
Active Investor Visa
Processing Time:
2 months
Citizenship Timeline:
5 years
Permanent Residency Timeline:
N/A
Physical Presence Required:
184 days per year
Citizenship Visa-Free Access:
190 countries
Minimum Contribution:
NZ$100,000 (US$58,000)
Contribution Options:
Business Investment
On This Page
Program Overview
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
NOTE: New Zealand has closed its Entrepreneur Work Visa program.
The New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa allows foreign entrepreneurs to establish businesses with a minimum investment of NZ$100,000 (US$58,000).
The program offers a 3-year visa, with a path to permanent residency within 3 years, and citizenship within 5 years.
Science and technology businesses that demonstrate high innovation or export potential may qualify for an investment requirement waiver.
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
How to Qualify
- Valid passport
- Good health (medical exam and chest x-ray required)
- Good character (police certificates needed)
- English language proficiency
- No bankruptcy or business failures in past 5 years
- No history of business fraud or financial wrongdoing
Financial Requirements:
- Minimum NZ$100,000 investment capital
- Proof of fund ownership and legal acquisition
- Additional funds to support yourself and family
- Capital requirement may be waived for science/ICT businesses showing high innovation or export potential
Business Plan:
- Must be detailed and under 3 months old
- Must start business within 12 months of visa approval
- Business must be viable and beneficial to New Zealand
- Cannot be for immigration services
- Points System (Minimum 120 points needed)
Points awarded for:
- Age (up to 59 years)
- Capital investment amount (from $100K to $1M+)
- Business experience (3+ years own business or 5+ years senior management)
- Benefit to New Zealand:
- Business location (bonus for outside Auckland)
Visa Structure:
- Initial 12-month startup period
- Additional 24 months once business is established
- Total stay up to 3 years, then can qualify for PR
- Can include partner and dependent children under 19
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
Salient Benefits
- High safety
- English widely spoken
- Path to citizenship
- Enhanced access to large economies
- Short processing time
- No investment requirement in some cases
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
Residency requirement:
- Must have held NZ resident status for at least 5 consecutive years
Physical presence requirements:
- Must be physically present in NZ for at least 240 days in each 12-month period
- Total of 1,350 days of presence required across the 5-year period
- Absences exceeding 4 months in any 12-month period may disqualify application
- Time on Crown service overseas counts as presence in New Zealand
Future intent:
- Must intend to continue living in New Zealand after citizenship
Exceptions allowed for:
- NZ government work overseas
- Employment with international organizations NZ belongs to
- Work for NZ-based employers
- Accompanying NZ citizen spouse/partner on Crown service
Additional requirements:
- Must meet language requirements
- Must meet character requirements
- Must pass citizenship assessment
Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Applications for this program may be directed to Immigration New Zealand.
Legislation upon which this program is based Immigration Act 2009.
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
IMI Pros Who Can Help You
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New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
Qualifying Real Estate
As noted in the program qualifications above, an investor can qualify for this program with a local property purchase above the minimum investment threshold. View eligible properties curated by IMI and our real estate partners:
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
Recent Stories About This Destination
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May 26, 2026
Growth category applicants can direct up to 20% of their investment toward charities; the option was previously limited to the Balanced tier.
NZ$1.4 Billion In, But Only NZ$19.6 Million Went Directly Into Businesses
April 23, 2026
Wellington killed one cash loophole in December and is reviewing others; only 1.4% of AIP capital went directly into businesses.
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
Program Statistics
See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.