New Zealand Golden Visa: New Four-Year Route For Business Owners
New Zealand has opened the New Zealand Golden Visa for wealthy business owners who want a long stay. The new programme uses a business investor work visa that offers up to 4 years in the country. It targets seasoned entrepreneurs who want to buy into real firms and play an active role. The government opened applications on 24 November 2025 and aims to attract serious global investors.
How The New 4-Year Visa Structure Works
The programme follows a 4-year visa structure that has two stages. The first stage lasts 12 months, during which investors must buy a qualifying company and start leading daily operations.
The second stage runs for 36 months and focuses on growth, job outcomes, and consistent presence inside the country. Officials can approve one extension of up to 2 years when investors face delays in securing a business purchase or building operations. This route will fully replace the older Entrepreneur Work Visa once applications begin.
Investment Tracks And Key Investment Rules
The New Zealand Golden Visa offers two investment tracks that follow strict investment requirements.
Investors have 2 options: a NZD 1,000,000 investment that creates a 3-year timeline for residence, or a NZD 2,000,000 investment that shortens the wait to 12 months
Both tracks also require at least NZD 500,000 in personal reserve funds for the investor and family.
Unlike many visa schemes, this programme focuses on active ownership. Investors must buy into an existing New Zealand company instead of creating a new start-up. The company must have at least 5 years of trading history, at least 5 employees, and a sale price of NZD 1,000,000 before tax.
Sectors such as gambling, tobacco, and fast food chains are not allowed. Investors must hold at least 25% ownership in the acquired firm.
Who Can Apply For The Investor Visa
The business investor work visa suits business owners who are under 55 years old and have strong records running or managing companies. Applicants must show involvement in a company with at least 5 staff or NZD 1,000,000 in yearly sales.
They must pass health checks, character checks, and meet English language standards. Partners and dependent children can join the main applicant, which helps families settle together.
Job Creation, Time In Country, And Control
The business must keep at least 5 jobs and create 1 new role for a full-time New Zealand employee that stays in place for 12 months. These rules support New Zealand’s job creation obligations and prevent passive investing that brings little benefit to the local economy.
Investors must also spend at least 184 days in New Zealand during each of 3 different years. They must take real control of daily operations and cannot sit back as silent owners.
Moving Toward Permanent Residence
Once investors finish the plan and meet every rule, they can move on to a permanent residency pathway through the Business Investor Resident Visa. This step checks investment levels, job creation, and time on the ground before approval.
The business investor work visa then changes from a temporary stay to a long-term basis for the family. Many global owners will compare this option with the costlier Active Investor Plus route that uses higher sums. For hands-on investors who want control and residence together, this visa stands out in the New Zealand economy.
