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Updates from INZ - New Business Investor Visa Replaces Entrepreneur Work Visa

27/8/2025

The New Zealand Government has announced the closure of the Entrepreneur Work Visa and the introduction of a new Business Investor Visa, aimed at attracting experienced investors who will actively grow the New Zealand economy through business investment.

About the Business Investor Visa

Applications for the Business Investor Work Visa will open in November 2025, offering two clear investment pathways:

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

Applicants can either:

Purchase a business outright, or
Acquire at least 25% ownership of an existing business, provided the minimum $1m or $2m investment thresholds are met.

Both visa options provide a pathway to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.

This new category complements the Active Investor Plus Visa, refreshed in April 2025, and forms part of a broader update to business immigration policies to strengthen investment, talent attraction, and international business connections.

Closure of the Entrepreneur Category

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

Pending Applications: If you have already applied, your application will continue to be assessed under the rules that were in place at the time of submission.
Withdrawals: If you withdraw your application, any fees or levies paid are non-refundable.
Current Visa Holders: Entrepreneur Work Visa holders may still apply for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa. If more time is needed to meet residence requirements, a renewal of the Entrepreneur Work Visa remains available.

Key Takeaway

If you are looking to invest in New Zealand and gain residence, the new Business Investor Visa presents a fresh opportunity with clearer, faster pathways depending on the level of investment you choose.

If you would like to understand how these changes may affect your immigration options, we encourage you to book an appointment with our licensed adviser by clicking on the button below.

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From 18 August 2025: All NZ International Student Visas Moving to Enhanced Immigration Online System

14/8/2025

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A Major Update for International Students Applying to Study in New Zealand

From 18 August 2025, all international student visa applications will transition to Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system, also known as ADEPT. This upgrade is part of the Government’s Our Future Services programme — a seven-year initiative aimed at streamlining visa processing, improving communication, and reducing application wait times.
While several visa categories, including Visitor Visas and Accredited Employer Work Visas, have already made the shift since 2021, this will be the first time student visas are fully migrated to the new system.

Student Visa Types Affected by the Change

From 18 August, applicants will be automatically directed to the new Immigration Online form if applying for:

English Language Studies Visa
Exchange Student Visa
Fee Paying Student Visa
Pathway Student Visa
NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa

Key Dates and Transition Details

Applications on the old form submitted by 17 August 2025 → Will be processed as usual. Applicants can still upload documents and respond to Immigration New Zealand until a decision is made.
Draft applications not submitted by 17 August → Can be completed and submitted until 17 September 2025, or restarted in the new system.
After 17 September 2025 → All remaining drafts in the old system will be deleted. Applicants must restart using the new online form.

Important Note for Students During Peak Season

This change is happening during the peak period for student visa applications. Immigration New Zealand encourages applicants not to delay their submission in anticipation of the new form. It’s still recommended to apply at least three months before the intended travel date to avoid processing delays that could affect study start dates.

Why the Move to ADEPT Matters

The enhanced Immigration Online system is designed to provide:

Faster processing times
Clearer application status updates
Improved self-service features
A more user-friendly experience for both applicants and staff

This aligns with New Zealand’s long-term goal of delivering a trusted, world-class immigration service.

Need Help With Your Student Visa Application?

Navigating visa changes can be stressful — especially during peak processing times. Immigration Trust’s licensed immigration advisers help international students prepare strong, compliant applications and avoid costly delays.

Book an appointment

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Can I apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) if my NZ job offer is from a non-accredited company?

20/5/2025

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What if my New Zealand employer is not accredited?

If you've been offered a job in New Zealand — like a Production Supervisor role in food manufacturing — but the company isn't yet an accredited employer, you're not alone. Many offshore and onshore applicants face this exact scenario. The good news? It’s possible to move forward — if the employer is willing to go through the AEWV process, and you have the right support.

At Immigration Trust, we assist both job applicants and New Zealand employers to:

Apply for and secure employer accreditation
Submit a Job Check
Process the Visa or a Variation of Conditions (VOC) where applicable
Coordinate all communications between employer and Immigration New Zealand (INZ)

We also provide a realistic timeframe for each stage, but keep in mind: processing times can vary depending on INZ workload and how quickly the employer provides the necessary documents.

What’s involved in getting accredited and applying for an AEWV?

Here’s a rough overview:

Step 1 — Employer Accreditation Application
We help the employer prepare and submit this to INZ.
Estimated timeframe: 2–5 weeks depending on INZ and document readiness.

Step 2 -- Job Check
Once accredited, the employer must prove the job meets AEWV criteria.
Estimated timeframe: 1–3 weeks, depending on role and labour market requirements.

Step 3 — AEWV Visa Application or VOC
Once the Job Check is approved, we assist with your visa or variation submission.

Estimated timeframe: 3–5 weeks if documents are complete.

Throughout this process, we work closely with the employer on your behalf, streamlining the communication and handling the complexity so you don’t have to.

FAQ

Can I get an AEWV visa if my NZ employer isn’t accredited yet?
Yes — as long as your employer is willing to become accredited, we can help start the process.

What’s the timeframe to go from job offer to visa approval in NZ?
Each step (accreditation, job check, aewv visa) takes several weeks. On average, allow 6–12 weeks end-to-end.

Can Immigration Trust help my NZ employer become accredited?
Yes, we provide full support for accreditation, job checks, and visa applications.

Can you coordinate directly with my employer in New Zealand?
Absolutely. We work closely with employers throughout the process to ensure compliance and timely progress.

Work Visa Assessment

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INZ Hub:INZ Updates​ & ​Visa FAQs

Updates from INZ - New Business Investor Visa Replaces Entrepreneur Work Visa

From 18 August 2025: All NZ International Student Visas Moving to Enhanced Immigration Online System

Can I apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) if my NZ job offer is from a non-accredited company?

​What if my New Zealand employer is not accredited?

​What’s involved in getting accredited and applying for an AEWV?

​FAQ

INZ Hub:
INZ Updates & Visa FAQs

What if my New Zealand employer is not accredited?

What’s involved in getting accredited and applying for an AEWV?

FAQ