Self-Assessment Investor and Business Visas

Each of New Zealand's Entrepreneur and Investor programs has different minimum requirements.

Will you be able to migrate to New Zealand as investor or business owner?

Take a look at the table below. It shows the main policy requirements and will allow you to check for yourself, whether you might qualify for a visa under one of the investor and business migration policies.

You will see that the main difference between the various visa options lies in the required investment level – the more you invest, the less further requirements you will have to meet.

Self-Assessment Table

The table below shows the core requirements for each of the policies.

While good health and character are generally a pre-requisit for all visas for New Zealand, the levels of investment and settlement funds required vary considerably from one policy to the next and might be a determining factor for your choice of policy.

Age is another important aspect to consider: If you have reached the age limit of 56 years under the Skilled Migrant Category, you might still be able to migrate as business owner or investor.

Some migrants have limited English language capabilities. They might not reach the minimum level of language competency for a resident visa under the Skilled Migrant Category, but can pass the threshold of the Investor or Entrepreneur policies .

If you want to divide your time of the year between two locations in the world, you might be able to do so as an investor, whereas there is a strict requirement for skilled migrant policy visa holders to be present in New Zealand most of the year.

Find out which business or investor visa might be best suited for you: 

Active Investor Plus Category

Entrepreneur Work + Residence Visas

Parent Retirement Category

Temporary Retirement

Good Health

Required
Required
Required
Required

Good Character

Required
Required
Required
Required

Investment Funds

Minimum of NZ 15 million or "weighted equivalent" (at least NZ 5) for 4 years
Minimum of NZ 100,000  
(can be waived)
Minimum of NZ 1 million
NZ 750,000

Settlement Funds

No requirement
Sufficient maintenance Funds for the first three years
NZ 500,000
NZ 500,000

Age

No requirement
No requirement
No requirement
Must be 66 or older

Minimal English Language

English language background or IELTS level 5
English language background or IELTS level 4
No requirement
No requirement

Minimum Time Spent in NZ

117 days as the holder of a resident visa during the 48-month investment period
No requirement – but you have to be self-employed in New Zealand on a full-time basis for 2 years
No requirement
No requirement

Business Experience

No requirement
Required
No requirement
No requirement

Business Plan

No requirement
Required
No requirement
No requirement

Annual Income

No requirement
No requirement
NZ 60,000
NZ 60,000

You may also be interested in:

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