Entrepreneur Resident Visa — New Zealand

This visa gives you permanent residence after operating your own business in New Zealand for the required period. You can keep running that business and include your immediate family in your application.

What the visa permits

The Entrepreneur Resident Visa lets you live in New Zealand indefinitely as a resident. You’re also free to work and study without restriction, since residence status doesn’t tie you to a specific employer or course.

You can keep operating the business you set up while on an Entrepreneur Work Visa. Unlike temporary visas, this residence class visa doesn’t have a short-term approval period.

Your status is different from other residence categories in purpose:

You need to meet Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requirements before approval. For current criteria or application costs in NZ$, refer to INZ’s published facts.

Who it can include

You can include your partner and dependent children in your residence application. This means your immediate family can get residence status with you, instead of applying separately under another category.

Including family under this visa may avoid the need to apply through other residence pathways, such as the Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa or the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, if they’d otherwise qualify independently.

When preparing your application, INZ may require specific forms, depending on your situation. Common forms for residence applications include:

• Form INZ 1017
• Form INZ 1015
• Form INZ 1024

You’ll need to complete all required forms accurately and provide supporting documents for each family member. INZ checks each person’s eligibility as part of the overall residence application.

Governing authority

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) manages and decides all applications for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa. INZ sets the eligibility rules, application process, and documentation requirements.

You submit your application to INZ, and they evaluate whether you meet the residence requirements based on your period of self-employment in New Zealand and compliance with immigration conditions.

INZ also publishes operational guidance explaining how officers assess Entrepreneur Work Visa holders moving to residence under this category.

You’ll need to budget for a significant application fee and expect a multi-month assessment period. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) sets the costs and decides all Entrepreneur Resident Visa applications.

Application fees

INZ charges an application fee of NZ$500,000 for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa (as of February 2026). You pay this amount in New Zealand dollars when you lodge your residence application.

You submit your residence application using the required form, such as Form INZ 1017 or Form INZ 1015, depending on your situation. If you include family, you may also need forms like Form INZ 1024.

INZ can change fees without notice. Before you apply, confirm the current amount using the fee information provided by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Other residence categories such as the Investor 1 Resident Visa, Investor 2 Resident Visa, Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, and Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa have their own fee structures.

Processing windows

Under the Standard Entrepreneur Resident category, INZ currently processes applications in 6 to 12 months (as of March 2026).

Processing time starts after you lodge a complete application and INZ begins assessment. Delays can happen if:

• You submit incomplete forms
• INZ asks for more documents
• Verification checks take longer than expected

If you previously held an Entrepreneur Work Visa, your residence application still gets a full assessment. Residence processing times are different from temporary visa timeframes.

INZ updates processing times periodically. Always confirm current estimates with Immigration New Zealand before you file.

Location and category notes

Processing times and procedures can vary based on:

• The Entrepreneur Resident category you apply under
• The location where INZ processes your file
• Whether your application is complete at lodgement

INZ does not publish a single global timeframe for all categories or countries. Your country of residence and the office handling your case can affect how long INZ takes to decide.

If you apply under a different residence pathway, like the Investor 1 Resident Visa, Investor 2 Resident Visa, or Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, expect different processing windows and requirements. Each category has its own policy settings.

You must check current fees and processing times directly with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) before submitting your application.

You might need professional guidance when identity rules differ by location, when document preparation gets technical, or if your investment structure raises compliance questions. Small mistakes can delay a decision by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) or lead to requests for more information.

Territory-specific identity requirements

If you apply from Hong Kong, Macao, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, or Wallis and Futuna, INZ asks for extra proof of identity beyond a passport.

You must provide documents such as:

• National or regional identity cards
• Government-issued insurance or registration cards
• Any other official identity record required by INZ for your location

These requirements are different from standard applications elsewhere. If you previously held an Entrepreneur Work Visa and are moving to the Entrepreneur Resident visa, confirm your identity documents still meet current INZ standards.

Use the correct forms and include identity documents at the time of submission. INZ commonly uses forms such as:

If your documents aren’t in English, check translation requirements with Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Missing territory-specific identity records often cause delays.

Document preparation guidance

Prepare all supporting documents before starting the online application. Incomplete submissions often interrupt processing.

At minimum, review:

• The official INZ application guide
• All document checklists
• The specific instructions for the Entrepreneur Resident visa

Compare your situation if you previously held or considered:

• Entrepreneur Work Visa
• Investor 1 Resident Visa
• Investor 2 Resident Visa
• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

Each category uses different forms and evidence standards. Don’t assume documents from another residence class will meet Entrepreneur Resident visa requirements.

Create a structured file set before submission:

1. Identity documents

2. Business and investment evidence

3. Completed INZ forms (such as INZ 1017, INZ 1015, INZ 1024 where applicable)

If you’re unsure whether a document satisfies INZ instructions, seek advice before lodging the application. Corrections after submission are harder to manage.

When investments or conditions are complex

Seek help if your business structure involves multiple shareholders, layered ownership, or conditional investment milestones.

INZ checks whether you met the terms of your Entrepreneur Work Visa before granting residence. If your business evolved from the original plan, document those changes clearly.

Complex situations may include:

• Investment funds sourced through multiple entities
• Business restructuring during the visa period
• Changes to ownership percentages
• Conditions attached to capital injections

If you considered switching between the Investor 1 Resident Visa, Investor 2 Resident Visa, or the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, confirm your current pathway matches INZ expectations.

When documentation doesn’t clearly show compliance with visa conditions, a professional review helps reduce risk of refusal. INZ decides strictly on the evidence you submit.

You must operate a genuine, lawful business in New Zealand and meet trading, investment, and character standards. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) assesses your business history, conduct, and whether your activity benefits New Zealand through jobs and capital investment.

Primary eligibility criteria

You qualify if you meet one of these business history pathways:

• Self‑employed in New Zealand for at least 6 months, or
• Operated a self‑employed business in New Zealand for 2 years on another visa.

If self‑employed for less than 2 years, stricter thresholds apply. You must:

• Hold a valid Entrepreneur Work Visa
• Have invested at least NZ$500,000 in your business
• Have created at least 3 new full‑time jobs for New Zealand citizens or residents

INZ expects your business to be actively trading and structured as a genuine commercial operation. Passive investments don’t meet this standard.

Apply using the relevant INZ residence application forms, such as Form INZ 1017, and provide supporting documentation as required by INZ. Other residence categories, including the Investor 1 Resident Visa, Investor 2 Resident Visa, Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, and Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa, have separate criteria and don’t replace the entrepreneur requirements.

Fit and proper person requirements

You must satisfy INZ that you’re a fit and proper person to run a business in New Zealand.

INZ will refuse your application if you have a history of:

• Business fraud
• Dishonesty in commercial dealings
• Ongoing or past legal investigations relating to business conduct

You must disclose relevant matters fully and provide supporting documents when requested. INZ may require statutory declarations or additional information through forms such as Form INZ 1024 or other character-related documentation.

Your compliance record matters. If you previously held an Entrepreneur Work Visa, INZ will review whether you met its conditions. Failure to follow visa conditions can affect your residence outcome.

Business trading and job-creation requirements

Your business must be actively trading and profitable at the time INZ assesses your application.

INZ checks that your business:

• Complies with New Zealand employment law
• Complies with immigration law
• Pays staff lawfully and on proper terms
• Operates as a genuine commercial enterprise

If you rely on the reduced 6‑month pathway, you must show that you:

• Invested at least NZ$500,000, and
• Created 3 new full‑time jobs in New Zealand

INZ focuses on actual outcomes, not future intentions. Provide evidence of trading activity, employment agreements, and proof of investment as part of your residence application (for example, through Form INZ 1015 and supporting documents required by INZ).

Your business performance forms the core of your application. If it doesn’t meet the required thresholds, INZ will decline the visa.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) declines many Entrepreneur Resident Visa applications for preventable reasons. Most refusals stem from missing evidence, outdated police certificates, or incomplete financial records that fail to prove lawful investment funds.

Documentation and evidence gaps

INZ expects a complete, well‑organised application with every required document attached. Omitting key records can delay processing or result in refusal.

Common documentation failures include:

• Missing business operation documents
• Incomplete financial statements
• Absent tax returns or property records
• Unclear evidence of how you transferred and invested funds

Source‑of‑funds evidence causes frequent refusals. You must show a clear paper trail from the origin of your capital to its investment in your New Zealand business.

You reduce risk by reviewing the official INZ checklist and confirming every required document appears in your submission.

Police certificates and timing errors

INZ requires police certificates that meet strict validity rules. If you submit a certificate more than six months old at the time of lodgement, INZ can treat it as invalid.

This issue often arises when applicants gather documents too early and then delay filing. Timing matters.

You should:

1. Confirm the issue date of each police certificate.

2. Submit your application before the certificate exceeds the six‑month validity window.

3. Check that all required certificates are included for every relevant country.

An expired or missing police certificate can lead to refusal, even if the rest of your application is strong.

Other common application failures

Filing under the Entrepreneur Resident Visa doesn’t guarantee approval. INZ assesses whether you meet all requirements and whether your documentation supports your claims.

Frequent problems include:

• Leaving sections incomplete
• Providing inconsistent information across forms
• Failing to attach required supporting evidence
• Submitting incomplete investment documentation

Errors on core forms such as INZ 1017, INZ 1015, or INZ 1024 can slow processing or trigger requests for further information. If you previously held an Entrepreneur Work Visa, make sure your resident application aligns with the business activities and financial records you already provided to INZ.

You avoid most refusals by double‑checking every field, confirming consistency across documents, and submitting a complete evidentiary record the first time.