New Zealand BIV Visa Quick Guide | Application Requirements, Process Guide

炒年糕的貓貓
Sep 1, 2025
3 min read

In August 2025, New Zealand Immigration introduced (Business Investor Visa, BIV), replacing the previous Entrepreneur Category visa. The new policy aims to attract overseas investors with strong financial capacity and extensive business experience to acquire and operate existing businesses in New Zealand, thereby injecting vitality into the local economy and creating employment opportunities.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the BIV visa’s application requirements, investment thresholds, industry restrictions, and differences compared to the Active Investor Plus Visa, helping you make an informed decision regarding investment immigration.

1. Core Details of the New Zealand BIV Visa

The Business Investor Visa (BIV) will open for applications in November 2025, offering two investment options:

Option 1: Invest NZD 1 million in an existing business for 3 years and apply for residency through the Work-to-Residence pathway.
Option 2: Invest NZD 2 million in an existing business and apply for residency after just 12 months.

*For both options, applicants may choose to fully acquire a business or purchase at least 25% equity, provided the corresponding investment threshold is met.

2. BIV Visa Application Conditions & Eligibility Requirements: Are You Eligible?

To apply for the New Zealand Business Investor Visa, applicants must meet the following basic requirements:

Age & Language Requirements

Age Limit: The main applicant must be under 55 years old.
English Proficiency: IELTS score of at least 5.0 or equivalent proof of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, PTE).

Funding & Investment Requirements

Investment Amount: Minimum NZD 1 million (or NZD 2 million) to acquire equity in an existing business (25% or more).
Source of Funds: Must provide proof of legal fund sources.
Living Expenses: An additional NZD 500,000 is required to cover the applicant’s living costs in New Zealand.

Business Experience & Health Requirements

Business Background: Must demonstrate relevant experience and capability in business operations (e.g., as a company executive, shareholder, or entrepreneur).
Health & Character: Must pass a criminal record check and health examination.

3. Key Advantages of the New Zealand BIV Visa: Why Choose BIV?

Compared to the old policy, the BIV visa offers the following significant advantages:

Faster Pathway to PR: Residency can be applied for in just 12 months with a NZD 2 million investment.
Lower Investment Threshold: The minimum investment is only NZD 1 million, significantly lower than other investment immigration categories.
High Policy Transparency: Clear application conditions and residency requirements reduce uncertainty.
Benefits for the Whole Family: The main applicant can include their spouse and dependent children in the application.

4. Industry Restrictions & Investment Direction: Which Industries Are Excluded?

The New Zealand government has explicitly excluded the following industries to ensure investments flow into high-value job-creating sectors:

Retail: Convenience stores, discount stores, fast-food outlets, franchise chains.
Special Industries: Gambling, tobacco and vaping manufacturing, adult entertainment.
Professional Services: Immigration advisory services.
Others: Home-based businesses, drop-shipping operations.

Recommended Investment Sectors: High-tech industries, export-oriented businesses, primary product processing, tourism infrastructure, and other priority industries in New Zealand.

5. BIV Visa vs. Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP): Which Is Right for You?

New Zealand Immigration Minister Erica Stanford stated:

The Business Investor Visa is part of our broader business visa system reforms, complementing the improved Active Investor Plus Visa.

Here are the key differences between the two visas:

Feature Comparison	Business Investor Visa (BIV)	Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP)
Investment Nature	Active management of a physical business; involvement required	Passive financial investment; no management involvement
Investment Threshold	NZD 1M (3-year PR) or NZD 2M (12-month fast-track)	NZD 5M (growth investment) or NZD 10M (balanced investment)
Residency Requirement	Must meet residency based on business operations	Very low (e.g., 21 days over 3 years for NZD 5M growth investment)
Language Requirement	IELTS 5.0 or equivalent	No explicit language requirement
Age Limit	Under 55 years old	No age limit
Core Objective	Attract hands-on entrepreneurs creating direct employment	Attract large-scale capital to support financial markets
Target Audience	Investors seeking to settle in NZ and run a business directly	High-net-worth individuals seeking global asset allocation

6. BIV Visa Application Process & Timeline

Preparation Phase (Sep-Oct 2025): Gather fund proof documents, prepare for English tests, and search for qualifying businesses.
Application Opening (Nov 2025): Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) and preliminary application.
Review Phase: Immigration NZ assesses business plans and fund sources (approx. 3-6 months).
Visa Approval: Receive work visa and travel to NZ to implement investment plan.
Transition to PR: Apply for residency after meeting investment duration and job creation requirements.

Conclusion

The BIV visa offers a clearer, more efficient, and relatively lower-threshold pathway for investors willing to engage in New Zealand’s local business operations. However, the new visa also presents challenges, such as limited first-year quotas and the need for hands-on management.

For those considering investment immigration to New Zealand, it is advisable to consult professional immigration advisors (e.g., Oceanus Strategic) early to assess eligibility and identify compliant business opportunities, ensuring you seize the policy advantage.