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Pathway

New Zealand Entrepreneur Resident Visa

New Zealand Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

People already running a qualifying New Zealand business may be able to apply for residence after two years. A restricted six-month option is available to current Entrepreneur Work Visa holders with greater investment and job creation. The Entrepreneur Work Visa is closed to new applicants; new business buyers should consider the Business Investor route.

Who can apply
People already actively running an eligible New Zealand business
Faster-option investment
Normally NZD 500,000, plus three new eligible full-time jobs
Ownership
At least 25% of the business

Summary

This is a residence route for people already operating a profitable, compliant New Zealand business, generally after an Entrepreneur Work Visa. The standard route requires 2 years of self-employment.

The 6-month route is limited to current Entrepreneur Work Visa holders who invested at least NZD 500,000 or obtained a qualifying capital waiver and created at least 3 full-time New Zealand jobs. New Entrepreneur Work Visa applications closed in August 2025.

Applying after running a New Zealand business
  1. Check which work-history option applies Usually two years; the six-month option is restricted to current Entrepreneur Work Visa holders.
  2. Document the business and your role Show ownership, lawful work, investment, jobs, and trading results.
  3. Apply and follow any continuing conditions The faster option requires the investment and jobs to remain until two years of operation.

Planning a new business alone does not qualify for this residence visa.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

The applicant must normally have been self-employed in New Zealand for at least 2 years on a visa that permitted that activity. The business must match the approved business plan or otherwise satisfy the Entrepreneur Work Visa standards, be lawful, and be profitable or have a clear potential to become profitable within 12 months.

A faster application after at least 6 months of self-employment is possible only if the applicant:

The applicant must own at least 25% of the business, be actively self-employed in it, comply with employment and immigration law, pay themselves at least the full-time minimum-wage equivalent, and show that the business benefits New Zealand. They must also meet English, health, character, and fit-and-proper requirements and must not have received disqualifying welfare assistance.

Someone relying on 2 years of self-employment under another visa must show that the visa allowed self-employment and that the business met the relevant Entrepreneur Work standards.

What This Route Allows

The resident visa permits indefinite residence, work, and study. A partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included if they meet the relationship, health, character, and other family eligibility requirements.

An application based on only 6 months of business operation is granted with conditions requiring the investment and 3 jobs to be retained until the applicant has completed 2 years of business operation in total. The initial resident visa normally lets you leave and return as a resident for 2 years. A Permanent Resident Visa requires a later application.

What This Route Is Not

It is not open to a person who merely plans to establish a New Zealand business, and the closed Entrepreneur Work Visa is not available as a new first step. The fast route is not available after any 6 months of self-employment: it specifically requires a current Entrepreneur Work Visa, the investment requirement or an approved waiver, and 3 qualifying jobs.

It is also not passive investment. Actual self-employment, ownership, trading performance, legal compliance, and benefit to New Zealand must be supported with records.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm the visa held throughout the self-employment period and whether it permitted that work.
  2. Decide whether the 2-year route or the restricted 6-month route is legally available.
  3. Compare the original business plan with what actually happened: ownership, investment, sales, staffing, and benefit to New Zealand.
  4. Gather company, tax, payroll, bank, licensing, employment, and profitability records from independent sources.
  5. Existing Entrepreneur Work Visa holders should check renewal timing; new operators should compare the Business Investor route.
  6. Prepare English, health, character, identity, and family evidence before applying.

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Sources