About the Business Investor Visa

The Business Investor Work Visa will open for applications in November 2025 and offer 2 investment options:

• NZD $1 million investment in an existing business, for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway
• NZD $2 million investment in an existing business, for a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway

Applicants can purchase a business outright on either visa pathway or acquire at least 25% of the business, provided they meet the minimum $1 million or $2 million investment thresholds.

Applicants may also include their partner and dependent children in their application. 

Both options lead to eligibility to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.

A Business Investor Visa may be granted for up to 4 years.

The cost of the Business Investor Work Visa will be NZD $12,380. This includes the visa application fee and immigration levy. 

The Business Investor Work Visa complements the Active Investor Plus Visa, which was refreshed in April 2025, and is part of a broader update to business immigration settings to attract investment, talent, and international connections.

Visas for investing and doing business in New Zealand

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the Business Investor work visa, applicants must:

• meet the minimum investment threshold
• show they have at least NZD $500,000 to support themselves (and their family if they are including them in their application) while establishing their business
• be aged 55 or younger when they apply
• meet English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent)
• meet health and character requirements
• meet business experience requirements
• invest in a business that meets the financial threshold and employs at least 5 full-time equivalent staff.

Business investment requirements

The following business types are not acceptable business investments under this visa:

• businesses involved in:
  • drop-shipping
  • gambling
  • the manufacturing of tobacco or other nicotine-based products, including vaping
  • adult entertainment
• convenience stores (for example, corner dairies)
• businesses that offer immigration advisory services, or that were purchased from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), or where an LIA is materially involved
• discount or value stores (for example, NZD $2 shops)
• fast food outlets
• franchised businesses
• home-based businesses (businesses only operating from a residential address).

Entrepreneur Category closure

The Entrepreneur Category is now closed to new applications for the Entrepreneur Work Visa.

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The New Zealand Government is actively working to increase the number of international students choosing to study in New Zealand. Recent updates to immigration policy reflect this goal.

If you’re planning to study full-time in New Zealand, you can apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa. With this visa, you’ll need to cover the full cost of your courses and enrol with an approved education provider.

Length of Stay

Up to 4 years

To apply, you must:

• Have an offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider
• Have enough money to pay your tuition fees (or have a scholarship that covers them)
• Have enough money to cover your living expenses, or an acceptable sponsor
• Declare that you will hold insurance that is acceptable to your education provider
• Be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian if you are 9 years old or younger and not living in an NZQA-approved hostel
• Meet all other requirements of this visa

What this visa allows you to do:

• Study full-time in New Zealand in an approved course (including primary, secondary, tertiary, or English language study)
• Work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during study, and full-time during scheduled holidays – depending on your visa conditions
• Live independently if you are over a certain age; otherwise, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

Note: You do not need to speak or write English to apply for a student visa. However, some education providers may require English proficiency as part of their admission process, so it’s best to check with them directly.

Book a Free Immigration Assessment Today

Let ASPAC Immigration help guide you through the process of studying in New Zealand. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation.

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The Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website provides clear, structured information on two main pathways for parents of residents and citizens:

• Parent Resident Visa:
  Allows parents, grandparents, or legal guardians to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely. The process involves submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), waiting for selection (either by queue or ballot), and then, if invited, applying for residence. There are annual quotas—currently 2,500 visas per year, with places split between pre-2022 queue applicants and post-2022 ballot applicants. Sponsors must meet income requirements, and applicants must meet health, character, and English language criteria.
• Parent Boost Visitor Visa (New for 2025):
  Launching 29 September 2025, this new multiple-entry visitor visa allows parents and grandparents to stay for up to five years at a time, with the option to renew once for a total of ten years. Applicants must be sponsored by a New Zealand citizen or resident, maintain comprehensive health insurance, and meet health, character, and financial requirements. This visa is not a pathway to residence but is designed to strengthen family connections without burdening public services.

The website is user-friendly, with FAQs, step-by-step guides, and regular policy updates. It emphasizes transparency about quotas, eligibility, and processing times, helping families plan their applications with more certainty.

Blog Story: A New Chapter for Migrant Families – The Parent Boost Visa

For many migrant families in New Zealand, the dream of reuniting with parents has always been tinged with uncertainty. Long waiting lists, strict quotas, and the high bar for residency have made it difficult for parents to join their children for extended periods. But with the government’s introduction of the Parent Boost Visitor Visa, a new chapter is opening for families across Aotearoa.

Starting 29 September 2025, parents and grandparents of New Zealand citizens and residents can apply for a five-year multiple-entry visa—renewable once for a total of ten years. This visa is a response to years of advocacy from migrant communities who wanted more than just short visits or the daunting wait for permanent residency.

What makes the Parent Boost Visa different?

• It allows for long-term stays, so families can share life’s milestones—birthdays, graduations, and everyday moments—without the constant worry of expiring visas.
• The process is streamlined: applications are online, and most will be processed within four months, provided all requirements are met.
• To protect public services, applicants must have comprehensive health insurance and meet financial thresholds, ensuring they won’t become a burden on the health system.
• Sponsorship by a New Zealand-based child or grandchild is essential, with sponsors taking responsibility for living costs, accommodation, and any potential repatriation.

It’s not a pathway to residence, but it’s a significant step forward—giving families the flexibility and certainty they’ve been seeking. For those who want to make New Zealand their permanent home, the Parent Resident Visa remains available, though with ongoing quotas and a more complex process.

As the policy details are finalized ahead of the September launch, families are encouraged to check the INZ website for updates and seek professional advice for their individual circumstances.

“The Parent Boost Visa strikes the balance of making New Zealand more attractive for people who want to make our beautiful country their home, without putting additional strain on public services,” said Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.

Book in a Free Immigration Assessment today

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Eligible applicants will soon be able to apply for a residence if they have current employment or an offer of employment in the following occupations and have worked in New Zealand for 24 months in the following occupations:

• Metal Fabricator
• Metal Machinist (First Class)
• Fitter (General)
• Fitter and Turner
• Fitter Welder
• Pressure Welder
• Welder
• Panel Beater
• Vehicle Painter
• Paving Plant Operator

The Green List pathway is designed to attract highly skilled workers, and eligibility for these roles includes meeting specific wage thresholds. These thresholds are set to ensure that applicants have the experience and qualifications required to contribute at a high level in their field.

Who can apply

From 18 August 2025, people working in these 10 trades can apply for a Work to Residence Visa if they:

• Have a job or job offer in one of the listed green list occupations
• Are aged 55 or under when applying for residence
• Meet health, character, and English language requirements
• Meet the specific job and pay requirements for their occupation, including having 24 months of NZ work experience in a relevant occupation at the time the application is submitted.

To be eligible, applicants will need to be paid at a level that reflects the skill and experience required for their role:

• for Metal Fabricator, Welder, Fitter, and Machinist roles listed above, applicants must be earning at least $43.63 an hour (or $90,750 a year based on a 40-hour week)
• for Paving Plant Operators, Panel Beaters, and Vehicle Painters, applicants must be earning at least $38.59 a hour (or $80,267 a year).

Book Your Free 15 Minute Assessment Today.

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New Zealand is enhancing its investment landscape by updating the Active Investor Plus Visa, effective from 1 April 2025. These changes are designed to attract high-value investors by offering more appealing and flexible investment options.

• Simplified Investment Categories: The visa now features two distinct categories:
  • Growth Category: Requires a minimum investment of NZD $5 million.
  • Balanced Category: Requires a minimum investment of NZD $10 million
• Expanded Investment Opportunities: The scope of acceptable investments has been broadened to include bonds and property-type investments, providing investors with a wider array of options.
• Reduced Residency Requirements: Investors opting for more active investments will benefit from fewer immigration requirements, such as reduced time required to be spent in New Zealand.
• Accelerated Investment Timeline: Both categories must make all investments within six months of their approval in principle, with an option to apply for a six-month extension.
• Elimination of Language Barriers: The English language requirement has been removed, making the visa more accessible to a diverse range of investors.

These enhancements reflect feedback from investors and industry stakeholders, aiming to simplify the investment process and incentivize active investment in New Zealand’s economy. By broadening investment options and reducing barriers, New Zealand is positioning itself as an attractive destination for global investors seeking stable and diverse opportunities.

Investors can apply for the updated visa using the existing online application form, which will be revised to incorporate these new changes. Further details are expected to be published in early March.

With these strategic updates, New Zealand offers a compelling environment for investors looking to engage in a dynamic and growing economy.

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Immigration New Zealand has announced the 2025 opening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes (WHS). These schemes allow young individuals from various countries to travel and work in New Zealand for a specified period. Each scheme has a set number of places available annually, and applications open on specific dates until the quota is filled. Once filled, the scheme will close until the following year.

Below is a table outlining the opening dates and available places for each country’s scheme in 2025:

If you’re from an eligible country, this is a fantastic opportunity to experience New Zealand’s unique culture while gaining valuable work experience. We encourage you to apply promptly once your country’s scheme opens, as spots can fill up quickly. For detailed information on application procedures and requirements, please visit the official Immigration New Zealand website.

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The New Zealand Government has announced significant reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to address skill shortages and streamline processes. These changes will be implemented in stages throughout 2025. Key updates include:

• Removal of Median Wage Requirement (March 2025): Employers will no longer need to meet a median wage threshold but must offer the market rate for positions.
• Reduced Experience Requirement (March 2025): The required work experience for migrants will decrease from three years to two, ensuring sufficient skill levels while addressing key issues raised during consultation.
• New Seasonal Worker Pathways (November 2025): Introduction of a three-year multi-entry visa for experienced seasonal workers and a seven-month single-entry visa for lesser-skilled workers
• Extended Visa Duration for Lower-Skilled Roles (March 2025): Visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 or 5 roles will increase to three years, aligning with the maximum continuous stay allowed.
• Amended Work and Income Engagement (March 2025): Employers must declare that they have advertised ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs with Work and Income and interviewed suitable candidates, without a set 21-day engagement period.
• Enhanced Interim Visa Work Rights (April 2025): Interim work rights will be extended to AEWV applicants transitioning from any work visa type or from a student visa that allows them to work during term time, supporting migrants to maintain employment while their visa is processed.

These reforms aim to make it easier for employers to fill skill gaps and support economic growth. For detailed information, please refer to the official announcement by Immigration New Zealand.

Stay informed about these changes by following us for updates as they come into effect

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A student visa allows the applicant to be able to study in a country other than the one in which the applicant is a citizen of. The type of specific student visa depends on the duration of stays and caters to the likes of foreign students and dependent students.

If you need a student visa for New Zealand, the team at ASPAC immigration are highly skilled in Student Visas, Student Visa Applications and navigation the Immigration New Zealand rules and regulations.

For Further information on Student Visas and the application process, view more information here.

Student Visas NZ

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From our team at ASPAC Immigration to your family and friends, have a wonderful New Zealand Christmas. The team at APSAC Immigration in both Auckland and Christchurch offices are taking a well earnt break over the Christmas holidays. Our Christmas Holiday closedown period is from 22 December 2023 until 14 January 2024.

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