Business Investor Resident Visa NZ: Everything You Need to Know in 2025

Pathway from Business Investor Work Visa to Business Investor Resident Visa in New Zealand

At Immigration Chambers, we assist entrepreneurs and investors in turning their New Zealand business ventures into a permanent home. The Business Investor Resident Visa provides a clear route for those who have successfully operated and invested in a New Zealand business under a Business Investor Work Visa. This visa allows you to live, work, and invest indefinitely in New Zealand, provided you meet specific financial, operational, and compliance criteria.

1. Eligibility Criteria for the Business Investor Resident Visa

To qualify for the Business Investor Resident Visa, you must:

• Hold a current Business Investor Work Visa.

• Have actively managed your business for:

  • At least 3 years, if your investment was NZD $1 million or more, or

  • At least 12 months, if your investment was NZD $2 million or more (fast-track option).

• Employ a minimum of 5 full-time equivalent staff.

• Have created and maintained at least one additional full-time position for a New Zealand citizen or resident for a minimum of 12 months.

• Retain ownership of the same business and maintain the approved shareholding ratio.

• Keep your business financially solvent, compliant with taxation, employment, and immigration laws.

• Spend at least 184 days per year in New Zealand while holding your work visa.

• Meet the health, character, and fit and proper person requirements.

2. Pathways to Residency

• Standard Pathway – 3 Years

If you have invested NZD $1 million or more, excluding GST or property value, you can apply for residency after 3 years of active business operation.

• Fast-Track Pathway – 12 Months

If you have invested NZD $2 million or more, you can apply for residency after 12 months.
However, you must continue to operate your business for a total of 3 years to maintain residency conditions.

3. Proving Active Involvement in Your Business

You must demonstrate that you have been personally managing and directing the business. Acceptable evidence includes:

• Audited financial accounts and tax filings.

• Business bank statements showing ongoing operations.

• Employee payroll records and PAYE summaries.

• GST filings and invoices for business expenses.

• Property lease agreements for business premises.

• Utility bills and service contracts.

4. Financial and Legal Compliance

A key part of your application involves proving that your business is both solvent and compliant. You must submit:

• A qualified statutory accountant’s report confirming financial and tax compliance.

• A lawyer’s confirmation letter verifying adherence to all legal and regulatory obligations.

Your business must meet New Zealand’s employment, immigration, and commercial standards throughout the entire visa period.

5. Employment Obligations

Your business must:

• Employ at least five full-time equivalent employees, and

• Maintain one additional ongoing position for a New Zealand citizen or resident for at least 12 months.

Evidence can include employment contracts, IRD PAYE records, and proof of immigration status for employees.

6. Health and Character Requirements

All applicants must meet New Zealand’s health and character standards, including:

• Medical and chest X-ray examinations, not older than 3 months at submission.

• Police certificates from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (must be less than 6 months old).

Applicants must also satisfy the “fit and proper person” criteria, demonstrating no history of financial impropriety, fraud, or dishonesty in business dealings.

7. Including Your Family Under Resident Visa

You may include your partner and dependent children in your application. You must provide:

• Proof of relationships (marriage, birth certificates).

• Evidence they meet identity, character, and health requirements.

• Proof of English language proficiency for family members aged 16 or older.

If they do not meet the English requirement, they can pre-pay for English language lessons in New Zealand.

8. Required Documentation

When applying for your Investor Resident Visa, include:

• Valid passport(s) and two acceptable photographs.

• Certified copy of full birth certificate.

• Evidence of business ownership and management involvement.

• Accountant’s report on financial compliance.

• Lawyer’s verification of legal compliance.

• Proof of employment for five full-time staff and one additional local employee.

• Police and medical certificates.

• Certified English translations of non-English documents.

Application Fee: NZD $14,890 (subject to change).

Also read: Business Investor Work Visa New Zealand 2025: Complete Guide

Business Investor Resident Visa Application Process

Step 1: Gather Documents

Prepare all required documentation as listed above and ensure translations meet official certification requirements.

Step 2: Complete Application Form

Fill in the Business Investor Resident Visa form accurately with all supporting documents attached.

Step 3: Submit Application and Pay Fees

Submit your application to Immigration New Zealand along with the required payment.

Step 4: Assessment and Decision

Immigration New Zealand will review your documents, request further evidence if required, and issue an Approval in Principle (AIP) if successful.

Step 5: Final Approval

Once all conditions, including family English language requirements, are met, your Business Investor Resident Visa will be granted.

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