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Thinking about moving to Aotearoa to start or buy a business? Good choice — New Zealand is known for friendly people, clear rules, and a business-friendly culture. This article explains, in plain English, how much money you need to apply for a Business Visa in New Zealand, what each route means, and the practical steps you should take. I’ll also mention the New Zealand investor visa routes and where to Submit NZeTA Online if you want to visit first. Read on — I’ll keep it simple and honest.

Quick answer: the headline numbers

Right now New Zealand offers a new Business Investor Work Visa that opens a clear path for investors who want to buy or run a business in New Zealand. Applications for this new route open on 24 November 2025. 

There are two main investment choices under that route:

1. NZD $1 million investment in an established business (standard pathway).
   
2. NZD $2 million investment in an established business (faster pathway to residence).
   

If you want to start a brand-new business rather than buy one, the entrepreneur-style route usually expects around NZD $100,000 as the minimum capital to invest in your plan. That older entrepreneur visa still exists and can suit people who will actively build a business from scratch. 

What the NZD $1m and $2m options actually mean

When people say “I’ll put in NZD $1 million,” they don’t mean a bank deposit you never touch. For a Business Visa in New Zealand, the idea is that your money goes into a real New Zealand business. That can mean:

1. buying a whole company, or
   
2. buying at least a percentage (for example, 25% or more) of an existing business, or
   
3. investing in a business in ways that create jobs and grow the local economy.
   

The $1m option is usually a longer work-to-residence pathway — you invest, run or help run the business, meet conditions over a few years, and then become eligible for residence. The $2m option is designed to be faster on the residency timeline if you meet the conditions. Both expect real business involvement, not a passive bank investment. 

Where bigger investors fit in (the New Zealand investor visa options)

If you have much larger capital, New Zealand also has investor-style residence options. For example, the Active Investor Plus category has higher thresholds (for Growth or Balanced investment baskets), such as NZD $5 million or NZD $10 million depending on the category you pick. These are aimed at high-net-worth applicants who want a mainly investment-based pathway. 

People often call these the New Zealand investor visa routes. They are different from the Business Investor Work Visa because they focus more on placing funds into acceptable New Zealand investments rather than buying and running a single business.

Other costs and checks — what to plan for

Money for the investment is only one part of the picture. Before you decide, make sure you understand:

1. Proof of funds and source checks. Immigration will want clear documents showing where the money came from. Simple loans without solid evidence are usually not accepted.
   
2. Living/reserve funds. Some applicants find they need extra savings to support themselves and family while settling in.
   
3. Business experience and paperwork. You’ll need a business plan, CV, financial records, and proof that you can run or grow the business.
   
4. Health, character and other visa checks. Standard medical checks and police certificates are part of the process.
   

A simple step-by-step plan you can follow

1. Pick the right route — Do you want a Business Visa in New Zealand to buy and run a business, or are you looking at a New Zealand investor visa that is investment-focused?
   
2. Gather proof of funds — bank statements, tax records, sale agreements, and legal documents that show the money is yours and legal.
   
3. Write a clear business plan — show expected jobs, local benefits, revenue forecasts, and how your business will help New Zealand.
   
4. Talk to licensed advisers — a licensed immigration adviser or lawyer who understands investor and business visas will save you time and mistakes.
   
5. Visit if you can — if you want to inspect businesses or meet partners, plan a short trip and Submit NZeTA Online or use the NZeTA app to request travel permission. For official NZeTA Visa Information, check the New Zealand government’s website before you travel.
   

Helpful, honest answers to common questions

Can I borrow the investment money?
No — for most business and investor routes you must show lawful ownership and the genuine source of funds. Borrowed money without clear proof is usually not enough.

Is NZD $1m or $2m guaranteed to stay the same?
Immigration policy can change. The current Business Investor Work Visa rules and amounts are public now, but governments update migration rules from time to time. Always check official sources before you apply. 

Will passive investments work?
Generally no for the business-investor routes. The government wants active contribution — running the business, creating jobs, or otherwise helping the local economy. 

Final thoughts

A Business Visa in New Zealand or a New Zealand investor visa can change your life — but it takes careful planning, clear proof of money, and a real plan to run or support a New Zealand business. The headline numbers — NZD $100,000 for entrepreneur-style startups and NZD $1 million / $2 million for the new business investor routes — give you a starting point.