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New Zealand Business Investor Work Visa – Applications Open November 2025
Immigration New Zealand has announced the new Business Investor Work Visa, opening for applications in November 2025. This visa provides a clear pathway to residency for entrepreneurs and investors who want to establish or grow a business in New Zealand.
Investment Options
Applicants can choose between two investment pathways:
- NZD $1 million investment in an existing New Zealand business – leads to a 3-year work-to-residence pathway.
- NZD $2 million investment in an existing business – offers a 12-month fast-track to residence.
You may either purchase a business outright or acquire at least 25% ownership, provided you meet the investment threshold.
Both visa options lead to eligibility for the Business Investor Resident Visa. The visa can be granted for up to 4 years and costs NZD $12,380, inclusive of application fees and immigration levy.
Applicants may also include their partner and dependent children in the application.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the New Zealand Business Investor Work Visa, applicants must:
- Meet the minimum investment threshold of NZD $1M or $2M.
- Show proof of NZD $500,000 in personal funds to support themselves and their family.
- Be 55 years old or younger at the time of application.
- Meet the English language requirement (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent).
- Satisfy health and character checks.
- Demonstrate relevant business experience.
- Invest in a business that employs at least 5 full-time staff.
Attracting Global Talent & Investment
This new visa complements the Active Investor Plus Visa (refreshed in April 2025) and is part of New Zealand’s strategy to attract international investors, entrepreneurs, and global talent to strengthen the economy and create jobs.
Need help with the New Zealand Business Investor Work Visa?
Contact our migration experts today for tailored advice and support.
Important Update: New English Language Test Requirements for Australian Visa Applications (Effective 7 August 2025)
As of 7 August 2025, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has introduced crucial updates to the approved English language tests required for various Australian visa applications. These revisions impact the accepted test types, minimum score criteria, test formats, and validity periods—making it essential for visa applicants to stay up to date with the latest guidelines.
Key Highlights of the Updated English Language Requirements:
- Tests completed on or before 6 August 2025 may still be accepted, provided they fall within the relevant validity period (typically up to 3 years, depending on the visa subclass).
- A wider range of English proficiency tests is now officially recognized by the Department, giving applicants more flexibility in meeting language requirements.
Approved English Tests for Australian Visas:
- IELTS (Academic & General Training, including One Skill Retake where applicable)
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- OET (Occupational English Test)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced
- CELPIP General
- LANGUAGECERT Academic
- MET (Michigan English Test, now with Single Section Retake option)
Functional English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall score of 4.5 | Average score of 4.5 |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of 30 | Overall score of 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total score of 32 | Total score of 26 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Total score of 147 | N/A |
| MET | N/A | Overall score of 38 |
| CELPIP | N/A | Overall score of 5 |
| OET | N/A | Overall score of 1020 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | N/A | Overall score of 38 |
Vocational English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 5 in each component | 5 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 36 in each component | Listening: 33, Reading: 36, Writing: 29, Speaking: 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | Listening: 4, Reading: 4, Writing: 14, Speaking: 14 | Listening: 8, Reading: 8, Writing: 9, Speaking: 14 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 154 in each component | Not accepted for this level from 7 Aug 2025 |
| MET | Not accepted | Listening: 49, Reading: 47, Writing: 45, Speaking: 38 |
| CELPIP General | Not accepted | 5 in each component |
| OET | B in each component | Listening: 220, Reading: 240, Writing: 200, Speaking: 270 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Not accepted | Listening: 41, Reading: 44, Writing: 45, Speaking: 54 |
Competent English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6 in each component | 6 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 50 in each component | Listening: 47, Reading: 48, Writing: 51, Speaking: 54 |
| TOEFL iBT | Listening: 12, Reading: 13, Writing: 21, Speaking: 21 | Listening: 16, Reading: 16, Writing: 19, Speaking: 19 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 169 in each component | Listening: 163, Reading: 163, Writing: 170, Speaking: 179 |
| MET | Not accepted | Listening: 56, Reading: 55, Writing: 57, Speaking: 48 |
| CELPIP General | Not accepted | 7 in each component |
| OET | B in each component | Listening: 290, Reading: 310, Writing: 290, Speaking: 330 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Not accepted | Listening: 57, Reading: 60, Writing: 64, Speaking: 70 |
Proficient English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 7 in each component | 7 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 65 in each component | Listening: 58, Reading: 59, Writing: 69, Speaking: 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | Listening: 24, Reading: 24, Writing: 27, Speaking: 23 | Listening: 22, Reading: 22, Writing: 26, Speaking: 24 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 185 in each component | Listening: 175, Reading: 179, Writing: 193, Speaking: 194 |
| MET | Not accepted | Listening: 61, Reading: 63, Writing: 74, Speaking: 59 |
| CELPIP General | Not accepted | Listening: 9, Reading: 8, Writing: 10, Speaking: 8 |
| OET | B in each component | Listening: 350, Reading: 360, Writing: 380, Speaking: 360 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Not accepted | Listening: 67, Reading: 71, Writing: 78, Speaking: 82 |
Superior English
| Test | Accepted Scores – BEFORE 7 August 2025 | Accepted Scores – FROM 7 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 8 in each component | 8 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 79 in each component | Listening: 69, Reading: 70, Writing: 85, Speaking: 88 |
| TOEFL iBT | Listening: 28, Reading: 29, Writing: 30, Speaking: 26 | Listening: 26, Reading: 27, Writing: 30, Speaking: 28 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 200 in each component | Listening: 186, Reading: 190, Writing: 210, Speaking: 208 |
| CELPIP General | Not accepted | Listening: 10, Reading: 10, Writing: 12, Speaking: 10 |
| OET | A in each component | Listening: 390, Reading: 400, Writing: 420, Speaking: 400 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Not accepted | Listening: 80, Reading: 83, Writing: 89, Speaking: 89 |
Key Takeaways for Visa Applicants:
- If your English test was taken before 7 August 2025, make sure it aligns with the previous testing requirements.
- For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, you must follow the new guidelines introduced by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Always confirm the validity period of your English test results based on your visa subclass and application lodgement date.
- Identify the level of English proficiency required for your visa—Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient, or Superior—and ensure your test scores meet or exceed the relevant benchmarks.
- For newer tests taken after 7 August 2025, ensure they comply with the updated formats, score requirements, and accepted test types.
Need help navigating the English requirements for your skilled, student, partner, or business visa?