Residency & Golden Visas / New Zealand / Route
New Zealand · Residency route
Invest NZD 1 million in an established New Zealand business for a three-year work-to-residence pathway, or NZD 2 million for fast-track residence after 12 months.
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Programme overviewنظرة عامة
Advising UAE residents on Asia-Pacific migration from our Dubai office.
The Active Investor Plus visa was rebuilt on 1 April 2025
The old weighted-investment system is gone, and so is the English-language requirement. There are now two categories:
| Category | Investment | Minimum hold | Days required in NZ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | NZ$5 million | 36 months | 21 days |
| Balanced | NZ$10 million | 60 months | 105 days |
The Growth category is the more interesting of the two for most applicants: half the capital, a shorter hold, and only three weeks in the country across the whole period.
Growth accepts direct investments, managed funds and philanthropy (philanthropy capped at 20% of the total). Balanced adds listed equities, bonds and property developments. Funds must be invested within six months of approval in principle, with a possible extension. A partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included, Immigration New Zealand states no maximum age for the principal applicant, and it reports an average processing time of 36 working days once documentation is complete.
There is now a far cheaper route
The Business Investor Work Visa opened on 24 November 2025, replacing the closed Entrepreneur Work Visa:
- NZ$1 million → a three-year work-to-residence pathway
- NZ$2 million → fast-track to residence after 12 months
It needs at least 25% ownership of an established business with a purchase price of at least NZ$1 million, and three years' business experience in self-employment or senior management. The visa runs up to four years — a 12-month establishment stage and a three-year operating stage — and both pathways lead to the Business Investor Resident Visa; on the NZ$2 million pathway the business must still be run for three years in total across both visas. The application fee is NZ$12,380. Updated on 6 July 2026 to allow franchises, purchase through a New Zealand resident entity, and gifted capital.
If NZ$5 million is out of reach, this is the route to look at. The Entrepreneur Work Visa it replaced is closed to new applications.
New Zealand citizenship and your Indian passport
New Zealand does permit dual citizenship. India does not. So the constraint here is entirely on the Indian side.
New Zealand citizenship becomes possible after 1,350 days over five years, with at least 240 days in each of those years. Taking it would end your Indian citizenship automatically under Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955, regardless of New Zealand's own generosity on the point.
Residence and permanent residence carry no such consequence. Most Indian families stop at permanent residence for exactly that reason, and there is nothing wrong with doing so.
Talk to an immigration consultant in Dubai
XIPHIAS Immigration has guided families abroad since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Dubai will take you through the current official requirements, costs and timeline.
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand
- Immigration New Zealand — Active Investor Plus visa
- Immigration New Zealand — Skilled Migrant Category
- Immigration New Zealand — Green List
Verified against government sources on 30 September 2026.
What you getالمزايا
Lower investment threshold of NZD 1–2 million under the New Zealand business investor visa
Include partner and dependent children in the application
Live in a stable and business-friendly economy in New Zealand
Flexibility to work, run a business, and access education benefits
Both pathways lead to the Business Investor Resident Visa
Investment & costsالتكاليف
Qualifying investment
Business investment — work-to-residence pathway
At least 25% of an established New Zealand business with a purchase price of at least NZD 1 million; residence after three years of operation.
Business investment — fast-track pathway
Residence after 12 months; the business must still be run for three years in total across both visas.
Government & due-diligence fees
Figures are indicative and exclusive of professional fees. Your advisor confirms an exact, written cost breakdown for your family size.
Eligibilityالأهلية
Requirements
Minimum investment of NZD 1 million (or NZD 2 million for fast-track residence after 12 months) in an established New Zealand business.
Own at least 25% of a business with a purchase price of at least NZD 1 million.
At least 3 years of acceptable business experience in self-employment or senior management.
Funds must be lawfully obtained; gifted capital is accepted as a funding source since 6 July 2026.
Operate the business for three years in total across the work and resident visas.
The processكيف نعمل
Eligibility Assessment
Initial eligibility assessment and profile evaluation for the New Zealand Business Investor Work Visa.
Business Selection
Identify an established New Zealand business, or a qualifying franchise, with a purchase price of at least NZD 1 million in which you will hold at least 25%.
Due Diligence
Completion of financial, legal, and operational due diligence for the selected business.
Visa Application
Submit the Business Investor Work Visa application with all required documentation and the NZD 12,380 fee.
Establishment Stage
Complete the investment during the visa's 12-month establishment stage.
Business Operation
Operate the business during the three-year operating stage of the visa.
Residency Application
Apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa after 12 months on the NZD 2 million pathway, or after three years on the NZD 1 million pathway.
Document checklistالوثائق
Identity & Civil
Identity verification
- ✦Valid passport and identity documents
Investment & Funds
Proof of funds
- ✦Proof of lawfully obtained funds and investment source documentation
- ✦Financial statements and bank confirmations for the investment funds
Experience
Professional background
- ✦Evidence of at least 3 years of business experience in self-employment or senior management
Police & Health
Health and character
- ✦Medical and character clearance certificates
Business Investment
Business and investment details
- ✦Business purchase agreements and due diligence reports
Your XIPHIAS advisor prepares a personalised document list at onboarding. The checklist above is indicative and may vary by family size.
Family scopeالأسرة
All eligible dependants can be included in one application or added after approval.
Age limits, dependency definitions, and addition fees vary by jurisdiction. Your advisor confirms exact rules at onboarding.
Risk notes
The Active Investor Plus visa was substantially rebuilt on 1 April 2025. The weighted-investment system and the English-language requirement were both removed. Material describing weightings is out of date.
The Entrepreneur Work Visa is closed. Its replacement is the Business Investor Work Visa, which opened 24 November 2025 at NZ$1 million or NZ$2 million — far below the Active Investor Plus thresholds.
New Zealand permits dual citizenship; India does not. Naturalising would end your Indian citizenship. Residence and permanent residence would not.
Compliance
Growth category: NZ$5 million, held 36 months, with 21 days required in New Zealand.
Balanced category: NZ$10 million, held 60 months, with 105 days required in New Zealand.
Business Investor Work Visa, open since 24 November 2025: NZ$1 million for a three-year work-to-residence pathway, or NZ$2 million for fast-track residence after 12 months. Minimum 25% ownership, three years' business experience, four-year visa, application fee NZ$12,380. Amended 6 July 2026 to permit franchises, purchase via a New Zealand resident entity, and gifted capital.
New Zealand citizenship requires 1,350 days over five years, with at least 240 days in each year.
Questionsأسئلة شائعة
This route, answered.
The minimum investment for the New Zealand Business Investor Work Visa starts from NZD 1 million, with a fast-track residence option at NZD 2 million.
Start the New Zealand route.
A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.