Under the scheme, which began on November 4, foreign businesses can obtain permanent residency in just 12 months by investing NZD 1 million or NZD 2 million.
Golden Visa: New Zealand has launched a “Golden Visa.” This visa is specifically for wealthy individuals who wish to acquire New Zealand citizenship by investing in businesses there and plan to build a home.
This visa is called the “Business Investor Work Visa,” and applications began on November 24th. It offers a straightforward path to permanent residence in New Zealand, allowing them to stay for up to four years.
This visa allows investors to bring their partners and dependent children to New Zealand. Two investment options are available for obtaining residency under this visa. One option requires an investment of NZD 1 million to obtain residency within three years, while the other is a fast-track option, which grants residency after only 12 months, requiring an investment of NZD 2 million.
A lot of money will be required.
This visa is designed for experienced business owners who want to contribute to New Zealand’s long-term economic development. Applicants must invest in a business that has been in operation for at least five years and provide an additional reserve fund of NZD 500,000 for living expenses. They must also meet certain requirements, such as being under 55 years of age and having strong business experience.
This means you must either run a company with at least five employees, or your company must have annual revenue of NZD 1 million. A government statement emphasizes that New Zealand welcomes visionary investors who can help grow existing enterprises and create new opportunities.
How to Apply for a Golden Visa
Once investors have operated their business for the required period, they can apply for a Business Investor Resident Visa, requiring them to prove their ability to repay debt, maintain a level of ownership, and create at least one full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident.
In addition to the Golden Visa, New Zealand is also introducing two new seasonal visa categories, the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV), under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, from December 8th. These visas aim to simplify the process of hiring international workers for short-term roles, while protecting local employment.



