New Zealand•OceaniaVaries
14,890 NZD
Indefinite
No
Not Required
Allowed
No
Not Required
Permanent residence for Business Investor Work Visa holders who have actively run a NZD $1M+ NZ business for 1-3 years.
The Business Investor Resident Visa (BIV-RV) is Immigration New Zealand's permanent-residence step for holders of a Business Investor Work Visa who have actively run an approved NZ business. Issued under the BI Residence Category, it converts a successful business establishment into indefinite residence and rewards active investors over passive capital.
Applicants invest NZD $1M and run the business for 3 years (standard), or NZD $2M for 12 months (fast-track). Both routes require employing 5+ FTE staff plus 1 new full-time job for a NZ citizen or resident, 184+ days/year in NZ, and a solvent business. The visa fee is NZD $14,890; stay is indefinite, partner and dependent children up to 24 can be included.
This visa is ideal for experienced business owners who have already invested NZD $1M+, actively managed an NZ company for 1-3 years, and want permanent residence with family.
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
Hold a current Business Investor Work Visa
Actively run the same business for 3 years (NZD $1M invested) or 12 months (NZD $2M invested)
Employ at least 5 full-time-equivalent staff
Create and maintain for 12+ months at least 1 new full-time job for a NZ citizen or resident
Spend at least 184 days per year in NZ while on the Business Investor Work Visa
Keep the business solvent and compliant with tax, employment and legal obligations
Maintain the originally approved ownership proportion of the business
Be a fit and proper person and meet health and character requirements
Education
none or higher
Experience
3+ years
Investment
1,000,000 EUR
Min. Savings
500,000 EUR
Passport or identity certificate plus two photos
Birth certificates for principal applicant and dependents
Audited accounts and financial statements for the business
Bank statements showing regular business revenue and expenses
GST and other tax records
Employment agreements and anonymised employee records
Property lease documents for the business site
Accountant's statement confirming business solvency and tax compliance
Lawyer's statement confirming the business complies with all legal obligations
Evidence the business employs at least 5 full-time-equivalent staff
Evidence of professional or occupational registration where required
Relationship evidence for partner (e.g. marriage certificate) and IELTS or equivalent English evidence for family members aged 16+
| Application Steps | Hold a current Business Investor Work Visa and meet the active-management period (3 years or 12 mont… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Can Convert To | nz-prv | immigration.govt.nz |
| Desc | null | immigration.govt.nz |
| English Min Score | 5.0 | immigration.govt.nz |
| Fee Breakdown | Application fee: 14890 NZD | immigration.govt.nz |
| Fees | NZD $14,890 | immigration.govt.nz |
| Language Req | Yes — IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) for principal applicant; family members 16+ must meet English requir… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Legal Reference | Immigration Act 2009; BI Business Investor Residence Category (Immigration New Zealand operational m… | immigration.govt.nz |
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