New Zealand Introduces Golden Visa Program for Foreign Investors and Skilled Workers

New Zealand has launched the Business Investor Work Visa, a new golden visa program designed to attract foreign investors by providing a pathway to residency through local business investment. The program offers two investment tracks: one requires NZD 1 million over three years, allowing investors to work in the country while progressing toward residency, and the other requires NZD 2 million for an accelerated one-year route.

Applicants must also demonstrate at least NZD 500,000 in personal funds to cover family and living expenses and show relevant business experience, such as owning a company with annual revenue of NZD 1 million or employing a minimum of five full-time staff. Eligible investors can include their spouse and dependent children under the visa, though certain sectors, including gambling, fast food, and tobacco-related businesses, are excluded.

This visa complements New Zealand’s existing Active Investor Plus Visa, which targets higher investments of NZD 5–10 million but offers permanent residency for investors and their families. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford highlighted that the new program is intended to attract entrepreneurs who are willing to actively operate and manage businesses in the country.

In addition to this initiative, the New Zealand government is developing visa options for startup founders and digital nomads seeking temporary or flexible stays. Applications for the Business Investor Work Visa opened on November 24, 2025, offering a structured pathway for international investors to live, work, and ultimately secure permanent residency in New Zealand.