Overseas investors can now fast-track residency by buying and operating a New Zealand business — and that means new opportunities for owners looking to sell.
The Government has announced the new Business Investor Visa (BIV) — a residency pathway for business migrants who buy and operate established New Zealand businesses.
For local business owners, the change could be significant. More offshore buyers in the market may lead to more competition, stronger offers, and new options for succession.
ABC Business Sales Managing Director Chris Small, who contributed to the Government advisory group behind the policy, says the visa will bring much-needed capital and opportunity into the small and medium-sized business sector.
“We’re built on small and medium-sized businesses, and if we can bring more capital into that sector, it’s going to create jobs and stimulate the economy,” he told Newstalk ZB. “For New Zealand vendors, it means access to a larger pool of buyers — often willing to pay a premium for businesses that qualify.”
Listen to Chris’s full interview on Newstalk ZB
Why it matters for business owners
For many owners, finding the right successor can be a challenge. Younger New Zealanders often lack the capital to buy, weighed down by student loans and a tougher property market.
“This visa provides a real solution,” Chris said. “Owners who have worked hard on their businesses now have more options. And when that capital goes to a New Zealand business owner, it gets recycled back into our economy, whether through family, new ventures, or other investments.”
The new visa at a glance
From November 2025, overseas investors will be able to apply for residence by actively operating existing Kiwi businesses. There are two investment options:
Fast-Track: A $2 million investment provides a 12-month pathway to residence, provided the buyer operates the business for three years.
Work-to-Residence: A $1 million investment provides a three-year pathway to residence, again requiring the buyer to operate the business for three years.
If the business is valued above the threshold, investors must hold at least 25% ownership (for example, a $6m business requires a $1.5m minimum stake).
Other requirements include:
- The business must be at least 5 years old, employ 5+ full-time staff and meet financial viability thresholds.
- Applicants must be 55 years old or younger with relevant business experience.
- They must meet standard health and character requirements.
- Functional English is required.
- At least one new full-time job must be created.
- Excluded sectors include fast food, gambling, immigration advisory, franchises, adult entertainment, and convenience stores.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says, “This new visa will bring overseas investment to maintain and create jobs, grow incomes, and breathe new life into existing businesses across the country. These changes will help bring brighter days ahead for all Kiwis.”
What the visa really means for New Zealand
The visa is expected to appeal most strongly to investors from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia — people seeking stability, opportunity, and lifestyle.
“From our experience, these are hardworking people,” Chris said. “You can’t operate a small business without working hard. That’s good for New Zealand — it will lift productivity.”
Some questions have been raised about whether the new visa could put pressure on housing, infrastructure, or bring in the wrong type of investment.
Chris believes those fears are overstated. “My estimate is a maximum of 200 visas a year. That’s not going to put pressure on infrastructure. The upside for our economy is far greater,” he said.
He also points to the safeguards built in: applicants must have business experience, operate the business hands-on, and create at least one new job.
Erica Stanford has echoed that view, expecting between 100 and 150 successful applicants in the first year. 
Why ABC is the broker of choice when selling to international buyers
As New Zealand’s leading business brokerage, ABC is uniquely placed to guide business owners through this new opportunity.
We sell more businesses than anyone else in the country, and in 2025 that standard was recognised with four national REINZ Awards for Excellence, including both Large and Small Business Broking Office of the Year.
For vendors, that recognition means reassurance: when it comes to navigating multi-offer deals, working with offshore buyers, and achieving the best possible result, ABC’s brokers have been recognised as the best in the business.
“Business sales can be complex and emotional,” Chris says. “Our job is to provide clear advice, protect vendors’ interests, and deliver results that create value for both sides. This visa will only increase the need for trusted, experienced brokers to guide that process.”
Turn new demand into your opportunity
The Business Investor Visa is more than an immigration policy — it’s a signal that New Zealand values small and medium-sized businesses as the backbone of the economy.
For business owners, it represents new opportunities to sell well: a larger buyer pool, stronger competition, and a clear pathway for succession.
With more offshore buyers set to enter the market under the Business Investor Visa, now is the time to explore your options. Whether you’re planning ahead or ready to sell, ABC’s award-winning team can guide you through the process with clarity and care.
Sell your legacy with confidence — and let New Zealand’s most trusted brokers guide your next chapter.