Reviewed by John Hu, Principal Consultant at John Hu Migration Consulting.
The NZ Business Investor Work Visa (BIV) requires you to invest in an established New Zealand business: NZ$1,000,000 (standard) or NZ$2,000,000 (fast-track), plus at least NZ$500,000 in reserve funds. The business must have traded for at least 5 years and employ at least 5 full-time equivalent staff, and you must own at least 25%. The visa lasts up to 4 years, including a 12-month Establishment stage. Source: Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Last updated: 6 November 2026
A common question from BIV applicants is: “I found a business to buy. Does it qualify?” Here are the points to check, based on the current INZ requirements.
What are the BIV investment and applicant requirements?
You must be 55 or younger when you apply, and have at least 3 years of acceptable business experience (self-employment with at least 5 full-time employees or annual revenue of at least NZ$1,000,000; senior management experience requires annual turnover of at least NZ$5,000,000). You must speak and understand English (test results no more than 2 years old) and meet health and character requirements.
| Item | Standard | Fast-track |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | NZ$1,000,000 | NZ$2,000,000 |
| Reserve funds | At least NZ$500,000 | At least NZ$500,000 |
| Residence eligibility | After running the business for 3 years | After 12 months, but at least 3 years across both visas |
What are the 5 checks before buying?
Trading history: the nominated business has traded for at least 5 years.
Staff: it employs at least 5 full-time equivalent staff.
Ownership: you will own at least 25%.
Hands-on role: you intend to run the business and remain self-employed in it.
Job creation: you intend to create at least 1 new job for a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Note that GST, the value of the business’s property, and fees and transaction costs do not count towards the investment.
What is the visa timeline?
The BIV lasts up to 4 years: a 12-month Establishment stage, then an Operating stage. You must show evidence of purchase and operation within the first 9 months. One further BIV of up to 2 years may be granted if needed.
What are the residence and ownership conditions?
To qualify for residence you must spend at least 184 days a year in New Zealand and keep at least the ownership share originally approved.
What can you review during due diligence?
General suggestions only, not INZ requirements. Your lawyer and accountant should advise on your case:
Trading years and financial statements
Employee records and FTE count
Ownership structure and the share you can acquire
The split between business value and property value
FAQ
Q1: What is the BIV minimum investment? A: NZ$1,000,000 (standard) or NZ$2,000,000 (fast-track), plus at least NZ$500,000 in reserve funds.
Q2: How soon can I apply for residence? A: After 3 years of running the business (standard) or 12 months (fast-track), but at least 3 years across both visas.
Q3: How many days must I spend in New Zealand? A: At least 184 days a year to meet the residence conditions.
Q4: Does the business’s property count towards the investment? A: No. The property value, GST and fees do not count.
Sources
Immigration New Zealand: Business Investor Work Visa
More: NZ investment immigration, BIV overview, BIV 2026 update, AIP vs BIV requirements
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Individual outcomes, processing times and subsequent status arrangements depend on the applicant’s background, the project, document completeness and official requirements. The cases above are for reference only and do not constitute a guarantee of approval or investment advice.