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New Zealand’s call for New Investors in November 2025

Yogesh shukla

New Zealand has taken a major step to attract global investors by introducing its new “Business Investor Work Visa” (BIWV), which opens for applications from 24 November 2025.

This initiative will be beneficial for both the immigrants and the residents of New Zealand, as it will create better economic stability in the society.

This visa is designed for experienced investors who wish to buy into or invest in existing New Zealand businesses and ultimately obtain residence.

What is new about this Visa opportunity?

Category	Previous Regime – Entrepreneur Work Visa	New Regime – Business Investor Work Visa (BIWV)
Visa Model	Entrepreneur-based; required to establish a new business	Investor-operator model; focuses on investing in existing businesses
Administrative Process	Complex and time-consuming; heavy documentation and compliance burden	Streamlined and simplified application with clearer investment structure
Approval Rates	Relatively low due to strict evaluation criteria and the limited success of start-ups	Expected to be higher as it focuses on proven businesses and stable investments
Government Objective	Promote entrepreneurship through start-ups	Attract foreign capital, safeguard and create jobs, and support SME succession
Investor’s Role	Create and manage a new business from scratch	Invest in and actively participate in running an existing business
Economic Focus	Start-up growth and innovation	Strengthening and sustaining established small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Key Benefit for Investor	Opportunity to launch a new venture, but with higher risk and long approval timelines	Clear, faster work-to-residence pathway through genuine business investment
Outcome Expectation	Variable success due to start-up uncertainties	Stable outcomes contributing to New Zealand’s economy and long-term residency prospects

Two investment tiers with clear residence timelines

NZD $1 million into an existing NZ business: qualifies for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway.
NZD $2 million into such a business: enables a fast-track to residence after just 12 months of qualifying business operation.

Core eligibility and investment conditions

The business must have been operating for at least five years before investment.
Applicants should demonstrate credible business experience — for example, owning or managing a business with at least five full-time employees, or generating at least NZD $1 million in annual revenue.
The applicant must be 55 years or younger at the time of application.
They must meet health, character, and English language requirements.
Certain business categories are excluded: convenience stores, discount shops, drop-shipping businesses, fast food outlets, tobacco/vaping, adult entertainment, home-based or franchised businesses, and immigration advisory services.

What the BIWV offers to Indian and other global investors

A large, stable economy with a high quality of life and a business-friendly environment.
The clear possibility of entering via investment rather than migration, on employment alone.
Inclusion of partner and dependent children in the application under the same visa.

While the BIWV is promising, applicants need to be aware of some critical realities:

Active involvement is mandatory
The business must meet job creation and continuity criteria.
Source of funds and proof of business experience must be meticulously documented.
The investment requirement is substantial (NZD $1 m or $2 m)
The excluded business categories mean not all investment opportunities qualify.

How Aptech Visa Can Help You Navigate This Opportunity

At Aptech Visa, we specialise in global investment-migration strategies, and the new New Zealand BIWV is a prime example of how we guide clients from India and beyond through the process.

We assess your business experience, investment capacity, and personal goals.
We help identify eligible New Zealand businesses with the required operating history and growth potential.
We assist with preparing your application, demonstrating the source of funds, business plan, job creation strategy, and immigration criteria.
We support you not only with filing but also with ongoing compliance once you obtain the work visa, helping you stay on track for the resident stage.
We guide on how your partner and children can be included, and how you can align this investment visa with your broader global mobility or wealth strategies.

With the application window opening on 24 November 2025, early preparation is key. Aptech Visa enables you to plan, build a solid profile, and apply with confidence.

Call our well-experienced and best immigration consultant at 750 383 2132

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