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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

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New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa IMI

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
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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

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:

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New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa

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Program Statistics

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