Reviewed by John Hu, founder of John Hu Migration Consulting and Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0746141).
For investors, New Zealand offers two main routes: the Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP) and the Business Investor Work Visa (BIV). Introduced in November 2025, BIV offers an active business-ownership pathway alongside AIP’s portfolio-based investment. Their capital thresholds, experience requirements, time in New Zealand and day-to-day involvement differ, so compare the conditions before choosing.
1. AIP vs BIV at a glance
| Item | Active Investor Plus (AIP) | Business Investor Work Visa (BIV) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Portfolio investment | Acquire and personally operate an existing business |
| Minimum investment | Growth: NZD 5 million for 3 years Balanced: NZD 10 million for 5 years | Standard: NZD 1 million, with 3 years of operation before applying for residence Fast-track: NZD 2 million, with a possible residence application after about 12 months of operation |
| Time in New Zealand | Growth: at least 21 days over 3 years Balanced: at least 105 days over 5 years | Personally operate the business in New Zealand; residence rules also apply |
| Business experience | Not required under current INZ guidance | Specified self-employment or senior-management experience |
| English | Not required under current INZ guidance | IELTS 5.0 or equivalent |
| May suit | Investors with larger capital who want to retain a Hong Kong base | Experienced operators willing to relocate and run a business |
Important: This is a high-level comparison, not an eligibility decision. Requirements, acceptable investments, business criteria and residence conditions are subject to current INZ rules and the conditions on an individual visa.
2. AIP requirements: larger capital, lighter residence expectations
AIP has two categories. Growth requires at least NZD 5 million invested for three years, while Balanced requires at least NZD 10 million for five years. Investment assets and conditions differ between categories.
The minimum time in New Zealand is generally 21 days over three years for Growth, or 105 days over five years for Balanced. The Balanced residence requirement may be reduced if the applicant meets INZ’s additional-investment conditions. AIP also uses an Approval in Principle process, so INZ assesses the application before the approved funds are transferred. Applicants must still evidence the lawful source and transfer of funds and comply with all visa conditions.
3. BIV requirements: lower capital threshold, active business operation
The BIV route starts with a Business Investor Work Visa. Applicants generally invest at least NZD 1 million in and operate an eligible existing business, then meet the required operating period before applying for residence. The NZD 2 million fast-track option may permit a residence application after around 12 months, but all business, residence and visa conditions still apply.
- Ownership: acquire an eligible business outright or hold at least 25%, subject to the minimum investment rules.
- Staffing: the business generally needs at least five full-time employees and must create one additional full-time role.
- Experience: meet INZ’s specified self-employment or senior-management experience criteria.
- Business eligibility: the business must meet operating-history and other requirements; prior use in a BIV application and family ownership can affect eligibility.
- Excluded sectors: examples include convenience stores, fast-food franchises, adult entertainment, gambling, tobacco/vaping, labour hire, and home businesses without genuine premises.
- English: IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.
BIV is not a passive investment route: visa holders are expected to personally operate the business. The business and applicant must continue to meet work-visa and resident-visa conditions; investing capital alone does not guarantee residence.
4. How to choose between AIP and BIV
- You have substantial capital and want to retain a Hong Kong base: compare AIP’s Growth and Balanced categories and their investment and residence conditions.
- You have relevant business experience and are ready to relocate: assess whether an eligible New Zealand business, ownership stake, staff plan and hands-on role fit BIV criteria.
- Your available capital is below NZD 5 million: BIV may be a lower-threshold investor route, while skilled-migration options may also be worth assessing.
Before deciding, review lawful source of funds, qualifying investments or target businesses, operating risk, family arrangements, residence days and each route’s later visa stages. An immigration visa is not an investment-return guarantee.
5. Shared requirements and family considerations
Both pathways involve health, character and source-of-funds requirements. Family members may be included where the relevant visa rules allow; age limits and each family member’s eligibility must be checked against current INZ guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Does AIP mean I never need to live in New Zealand?
No. AIP has minimum presence requirements: generally 21 days over three years for Growth or 105 days over five years for Balanced. Later applications for further status can have their own residence requirements.
Can I hire someone to run my BIV business?
BIV expects the applicant to personally operate the business. Do not assume that a passive shareholder arrangement will meet the visa conditions.
Which route is right for me?
It depends on available capital, investment and management experience, family plans, and whether you want to relocate and operate a business. A case-specific assessment is important.
Explore New Zealand investor pathways
JHM can help compare AIP and BIV against your investment capacity, business background and residence goals. Start with an individual assessment before committing capital or selecting a visa route.
Further reading: New Zealand investment immigration (AIP) | Business Investor Visa (BIV) overview and 2026 update
Official guidance: INZ: Active Investor Plus Visa | INZ: Business Investor Work Visa | INZ: Business Investor Resident Visa
This article is general information only, not immigration or investment advice. Policy, eligibility and processing time may change. Check current Immigration New Zealand guidance and obtain an individual professional assessment.