This country’s new golden visa comes at the price of a Mumbai apartment

New Zealand is rolling out a fresh “golden visa” for foreign investors that blends lifestyle appeal with a clear path to permanent residency. If you can commit capital and time to a local business, the new Business Investor Work Visa could be your gateway—at an entry ticket that roughly matches the cost of a quality apartment in Mumbai.

What is the Business Investor Work Visa?

From November 24, 2025, New Zealand will accept applications for its Business Investor Work Visa, granting residency for up to four years. The standout benefit is that it leads to permanent residency: after meeting the program’s on-the-ground investment and participation requirements for the set period, you can apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa to stay indefinitely.

Investment options and costs

• Option 1: Invest NZD 1 million (about USD 567,300) for a three-year work-to-residence track.
• Option 2: Invest NZD 2 million (about USD 1,134,480) for an expedited one-year track.
• Application fee: NZD 12,380 (about USD 7,010).
• Active involvement: You must help run the business you invest in.

Upon completing the required timeframe and obligations, you can transition to permanent residency via the Business Investor Resident Visa.

Who can apply: key eligibility rules

• Personal funds: Minimum NZD 500,000 (about USD 283,700) to cover living costs for you and eligible family members. You may include your partner and dependent children.
• Business acumen: Show credible experience, such as owning a company with at least NZD 1 million (about USD 567,300) in annual revenue or employing five or more full-time staff.

Where you can invest (and where you can’t)

• Business age: The company you invest in must generally be at least five years old.
• Excluded sectors: Gambling, fast-food franchises, and tobacco-related businesses are not eligible.

Expect standard compliance checks and a requirement to demonstrate that the enterprise is commercially viable and beneficial to New Zealand.

How it compares: Active Investor Plus Visa

New Zealand’s established Active Investor Plus program remains a strong alternative—especially if you prefer not to be hands-on in daily operations. Its thresholds are higher:

• NZD 5 million (about USD 2,835,700) over three years in higher-risk investments, or
• NZD 10 million (about USD 5,669,350) in lower-risk investments.
• Application fee: NZD 27,470 (about USD 15,550).

Successful applicants and their families can apply for permanent residency through this route as well.

Coming soon: startup and remote work options

Beyond investor pathways, the government is developing a visa tailored for startup entrepreneurs with scalable, innovative ideas. For location-independent professionals, a 90-day digital nomad visa is also available and currently has no minimum income requirement.

Why this “golden visa” stands out

• Clear PR pathway: A defined route from temporary residence to permanent residency.
• Family-friendly: Bring your partner and dependent children.
• Hands-on value: Designed for investors who want to contribute actively to an operating business.

Quick prep checklist

• Confirm eligibility: Ensure you can meet the investment tier (NZD 1m or NZD 2m) and the living-cost funds (NZD 500k).
• Document your track record: Evidence of revenue, headcount, and business ownership/management experience.
• Choose an eligible company: At least five years old and not in excluded sectors.
• Build an operating plan: Show how you will help run and grow the business while residing in New Zealand.
• Budget for fees and timelines: Include the application fee and factor in the one- or three-year commitment before applying for permanent residency.

Bottom line: For globally mobile investors who can take an active role in a mature New Zealand business, the Business Investor Work Visa offers a comparatively accessible route to permanent residency—at a price point that, for many, mirrors the cost of owning an apartment in Mumbai.