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Entrepreneur Work Visa

New Zealand · Oceania

Source: Mobility Asset DatabaseLifecycle: UnknownExtended ResidencyActive Investor Visas

Program facts from the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database. Unknown facts are shown as Unknown, never as zero.

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Publication state
Mobility Asset Database
Lifecycle status
Unknown
Facts checked through
Sep 21, 2026
Source snapshots
Database edition

Identity and current status

The route identity and current status.

Present
Year establishedPublished
2013
Governing lawPublished
Immigration Act 2009
Responsible authorityPublished
Immigration New Zealand

What the program provides

What the program gives the holder.

Present
What the program providesPublished
CLOSED to new applications since 27 Aug 2025 (existing holders can still renew); replaced by the Business Investor Work Visa. It was a 3-year visa to start a business in New Zealand with NZD 100,000 in capital.

Best suited for

Who the program tends to suit. Research only, never a personal recommendation.

Absent

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Eligibility

Personal qualifications an applicant must establish.

Present
Minimum agePublished
18 years
Clean criminal record requiredPublished
Yes
Local health insurance requiredPublished
Yes
Nationality restrictionsPublished
No
Basic eligibilityPublished
Minimum capital investment of NZD 100,000 (about USD 60,000) in a new business, plus at least 120 points; closed to new applications since 27 Aug 2025
Employment statusPublished
Self-employed
Generational limitPublished
Not applicable

Household inclusion

How spouses and children are treated.

Present
Family sponsorshipPublished
Yes
Spouse includedPublished
Yes
Children includedPublished
Yes
Child age limitPublished
19 years

Documents

Evidence categories and filing documents.

Absent

No governed customer claim is present for this section.

Process and timeline

How you apply and how long it takes.

Present
Processing timeUnknown
Unknown
Can apply without travelingUnknown
Unknown
Official application routePublished
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa

Costs and investment

Fees, income and savings thresholds, and investment amounts.

Present
Minimum investmentPublished
$60,000
Minimum passive investment (July 2026)Published
None required
Minimum active investment (July 2026)Published
$60,000
Processing feePublished
$7,220
Application feePublished
$2,290
Total cost to applyPublished
$9,510
Monthly income requiredPublished
None required
Monthly pension income requiredPublished
None required
Monthly rental income requiredPublished
None required
Savings requiredUnknown
Unknown
Proof of sufficient fundsPublished
Yes
Local bank deposit requiredPublished
No
Minimum local bank depositPublished
None required
Fees paidPublished
Before approval
Cost notesPublished
Minimum capital NZD 100,000 (can be waived for high-innovation science/ICT businesses). INZ lists application fees from NZD 12,380.

Presence and maintenance

Stay, renewal, and how long the status lasts.

Present
Stay required to keep statusPublished
183 days/year
Physical presence requiredPublished
Yes
In-country visit requiredPublished
Yes
Move-in windowPublished
6 months
Length of residencyPublished
36 months
Residency is lifetimePublished
No
RenewablePublished
Yes
Maximum durationPublished
36 months
Maximum duration is lifetimePublished
No
Tax residency rulePublished
Residents staying more than 183 days per year will be considered tax residents
Personal income taxPublished
range between 10.5%-39%

Rights and onward pathways

Work, healthcare and other rights, and the path to permanent residence and citizenship.

Present
Time to permanent residencyPublished
3 years
Time to citizenshipPublished
5 years
Work for a local employerPublished
Yes
Start a businessPublished
Yes
Remote or freelance workPublished
No
Local healthcare accessPublished
Yes
University accessPublished
Yes
Can buy landPublished
Yes
Local bankingPublished
Yes
Permanent residence timeline basisPublished
Years stated
Citizenship timeline basisPublished
Years stated

Risks, limitations, and uncertainty

Notes on changes, conflicts, and limits.

Present
Plan B note (Sept 2026)Published
Closed to new applications on 27 Aug 2025 (existing holders may renew). Replaced by the Business Investor Work Visa, open since 24 Nov 2025: NZD 1M (standard) or NZD 2M (fast-track) invested in an existing business employing at least 5 FTE, plus NZD 500k in reserve funds.

Sources, freshness, and conflict disclosure

Where the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database took these facts from.

Present
Official program websitePublished
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/entrepreneur-work-visa/
Plan B sources (Sept 2026)Published
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/entrepreneur-work-visa/ | https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/new-business-investor-work-visa-is-now-open/

Every fact on this page comes from the CitizensOS Mobility Asset Database (Sep 21, 2026 edition). A blank is shown as Unknown.

This anonymous dossier is read-only research. It does not establish personal fit, eligibility, legal or tax advice, filing, approval, residence, citizenship, or a held Right.