How to Secure an Investor or Business Visa in New Zealand: A Guide for High Net‑Worth Applicants24/11/2025
Why choose New Zealand for investor or business migration?
New Zealand offers attractive visa pathways for investors and businesspeople looking to relocate through capital investment or business management. At Immigration Trust, we regularly help high net‑worth clients who are ready to move their funds and expertise to New Zealand and want a clear, fast path to residence. 
What investor and business visas are available?
Active Investor Plus Visa This visa is ideal if you can invest NZD $5–15 million and want a resident visa from day one. It allows investment in approved assets like direct investments, equities, and managed funds. You can include your partner and dependent children. Business Investor Visas If you're looking to run or acquire a business in New Zealand:
Key differences: Investor Plus vs Business Investor
What you need to consider
Why work with an immigration advisor? We help you understand whether you qualify, choose the best visa pathway, and ensure every document is right the first time. With your capital and our experience, we can reduce risk, save time, and help you act decisively. Disclaimer: This content is intended as a general guide only and does not constitute immigration advice. For personalised advice, please book a consultation with Immigration Trust. FAQ: Investor & Business Visas for NZ Q: Can I include my family in my visa application? A: Yes, both visa pathways allow partners and dependent children to be included. Q: Can I apply for the Active Investor Plus Visa if I’m older than 55? A: Yes — there is no age limit under the current policy. Q: How soon can I apply for residence after investing in a business? A: If you invest NZD $2 million or more in an existing business and meet all criteria, you may be eligible to apply for residence in as little as 12 months. Q: Are all business types accepted? A: No — certain sectors such as gambling, tobacco, and fast food chains are typically excluded. Source: INZ website Take the next step with Immigration Trust If you’re ready to invest or run a business in New Zealand and want expert guidance, we’re here to help. We’ll assess your situation, recommend the best visa pathway, and support you through every step. Business Investor Visa with Medical or Character Issue?
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 What Is the AEWV Maximum Continuous Stay? If you’re working in New Zealand on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), you need to know about the maximum continuous stay (MCS). This is the longest period you can stay in the country on one or more AEWVs before needing to take a break. Once you reach your MCS, you must leave New Zealand for 12 consecutive months before applying for another AEWV. How long can you stay?
Who Is Affected? These rules affect:
What Employers & Migrants Should Do Migrants:
Summary
FAQ: Can I renew my AEWV after reaching my maximum stay? No. You must leave New Zealand for 12 months before reapplying. Does time on other visa types count toward MCS? No. Only time spent on AEWVs counts. Can I apply for a different visa instead of leaving NZ? Yes—if eligible. You’ll need to meet the criteria for that visa. Can employers extend an AEWV past the maximum stay? No. Once the MCS is reached, the AEWV cannot be renewed. Need help planning your next visa move? Whether you're approaching your AEWV maximum stay or exploring other options, our team at Immigration Trust is here to help. 👉 Explore Our Services 👉 Book Your Consultation Now  As of 18 August 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has introduced a new online-only student visa application system. This impacts how you apply, how long it takes, and how soon you can start studying in New Zealand.
From 18 September 2025, INZ has also retired the old paper-based student visa forms—meaning if you haven’t submitted your application by then using the old system, you’ll need to start again from scratch using the new digital form. Key changes international students need to know:
The updated form is more detailed and customises your questions based on your situation. While it may take longer to complete, it reduces back-and-forth with immigration officers—and aims for faster decisions. Visa types affected: You must now apply online if you're applying for any of the following:
What this means for you:
Frequently Asked Questions: Q - What changed in the New Zealand student visa system in 2025? A - INZ launched a new dynamic online student visa form in August 2025. Paper applications were phased out from 18 September. Q - Can I still use a paper form for a student visa in NZ? A - No. From 18 September 2025, only online applications are accepted for most student visa types. Q - What happens if I didn’t finish my student visa draft before 17 September 2025? A - Your draft was deleted. You’ll need to start a new application using the new Immigration Online form. Q - Why is New Zealand changing the student visa form? A - To improve processing efficiency, reduce follow-up requests, and speed up decision-making. Q - Is the new student visa form faster to process? A - It’s longer to complete upfront, but aims to reduce delays by requesting all required documents at once. Need expert help with your student visa? Click here |
