Immigration Update - August 2025

Shi Sheng Cai (Shoosh) • 27 August 2025

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and the government continue to make changes in the in the New Zealand visa, employer compliance, and investment visa spaces.


We have set out below a summary of some of the changes:


Business Investor Visa

While we have previously helped with many successful Entrepreneur Work and Residence applications, we are glad that the government have made changes to the category via the closure of the Entrepreneur Work and Residence categories (effective from 25 August 2025) and introduction of the Business Investor Visa Category (BIV) which is planned to be opened in November 2025.


The full BIV policy requirements have not been released yet. The information released so far (from the government and media outlets) on requirements includes:

  • A core requirement for applicants to:
  • Invest NZD1 million into an existing business and meet requirements over 3 years; or
  • Invest NZD 2million into an existing business and meet requirements over 12 months.
  • Requirements for businesses that are invested into include a requirement:
  • To have been in operation for five years;
  • To meet financial thresholds;
  • Have at least five full time New Zealand citizen or resident visa staff.
  • To not be of a type that is excluded from the scheme. Businesses of the following type are excluded: adult entertainment, convenience stores, discount/value stores, drop-shipping, fast food outlets, franchises, gambling, home-based businesses, immigration advisory services, and tobacco/nicotine
  • During the 3 year and 12 month periods, businesses will need to:
  • Create one full-time job for a New Zealand citizen or resident;
  • Maintain employment of a minimum of five full time staff;
  • Maintain an investment threshold;
  • Be solvent.
  • Requirements for applicants to:
  • Remain in New Zealand for 184 days;
  • Meet business experience requirements.
  • Meet English language requirements.
  • Meet health and character requirements.
  • Be aged 55 years or younger.
  • Have sufficient settlement/maintenance funds of potentially NZD500,000 (TBC).


We suspect there will be further additional requirements released in the full policy and the devil will be in the detail. Likely policy inclusions include:

  • A requirement to demonstrate lawful ability to earn or acquire funds used for investment and settlement.
  • Requirements around unencumbered funds.
  • An approval in principle process where applicant’s are assessed against requirements before investing funds into New Zealand.


Active Investor Plus Balance and Growth Categories

The introduction of the Active Investor Plus Growth and Balanced categories have continued to be positive, attracting high net worth investors.


Recent changes were made in June 2025 to:

  • Remove the 6-month time restriction that on-call investments can be placed in New Zealand bank accounts or term deposits for and replace it with a 25% cap on the amount of funds that can be placed in bank accounts and term deposits;
  • Clarify the requirements for maintaining a level of funds in on-call investments.
  • Clarify that where applicants utilise a discretionary investment management service, they are still subject to the on-call investment requirements.


Infringements

Between 1 April 2023 and 1 April 2025, INZ have issued approximately 136 infringements, totalling fines of $458,000 across the period. The total amount of fines issued for the 2023/24 year increased from NZD $63,000 to NZD $395,000 for the 2024/25 year. Employers should be vigilant to ensure that they continue to meet requirements to employ migrant workers in accordance with the conditions on the visas held by those migrant workers.


Seasonal and Peak Work Visas

INZ have introduced new Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) categories.

GWSVs can be valid for up to 3 years and require a job check to be approved. Applicants supported for GSWVs need to have spent 3 months outside of New Zealand every year and hold relevant season work experience for 3 seasons in the last 6 years.


Roles that can be supported using GWSVs include:

  • Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator 
  • Agricultural Technician (for example sheep or animal pregnancy scanner) 
  • Chairlift Operator 
  • Tulip Grower 
  • Thoroughbred Yearling Preparer 
  • Snow Groomer 
  • Mountain or Glacier Guide 
  • Outdoor Adventure Instructor 
  • Primary Products Inspector 
  • Shearer 
  • Slaughterer 
  • Snow Sports Instructor 
  • Snow Maker 
  • Snowsport Equipment Technician 
  • Whitewater Rafting Guide 
  • Wine Maker 
  • Winery Senior Cellar Hand 


PSVs are valid for up to 7 months. After reaching the 7-month limit, visa holders must take a 4-month break before reapplying.

Applicants need at least 1 season of relevant experience in the past 3 years and must hold comprehensive health insurance.

There is no English language requirement, but employers must engage with or be endorsed by Work and Income. 


Roles that can be supported using PSVs include:

  • Mussel or Oyster Farm Worker 
  • Calf Rearer 
  • Relief Milker 
  • Forestry Worker 
  • Meat Boner and Slicer 
  • Meat Process Worker 
  • Seafood Process Worker 
  • Winery Cellar Hand 
  • Wool Handler 


GWSV and PSV holders under both categories cannot support partners or dependent children for visas. 


Skilled Migrant Median rate

On 18 August 2025, the residence median rate increased to $33.56 per hour. Residence rates indexed to the residence median rate have also been adjusted to match the increased rate.


Parent Boost Visitor Visa opening

On 29 September 2025, the new Parent Boost Visitor Visa will open. In essence, this category provides an interim solution to allow New Zealand citizens and resident visa holders to support parents for visitor visas that have a validity of 5 years.


Requirements for the category include:

  • For applicants to:
  • Be outside of New Zealand when they apply and when their visa is granted;
  • Meet health requirements. Medical waivers will not be considered.
  • Be sponsored by an New Zealand citizen or resident visa adult child that meets requirements.
  • Hold health insurance for the duration of their stay in New Zealand.
  • Meet conditions including conditions to provide updated medical certificates as part of a vid-visa check.
  • For one of the following requirements to be met:
  • Have parents with a single parent income of NZD $32,611.28 or couple income of NZD $49,552.88 a year before tax.
  • Have parents with sufficient funds.
  • A single parent must have at least NZD $160,000 in available funds
  • A couple must have at least NZD $250,000 in available funds.

Borrowed or gifted funds cannot be used.

  • Where a single parent is being sponsored, the sponsoring adult child should have a:
  • Single income that is at least the residence median wage of $33.56 per hour.
  • Joint sponsor income that is at least NZD $104,707.20.

For each additional parent, the required income increases by 0.5 times the median wage (an additional NZD $34,902.40 for each parent).


Moving Forward

The immigration space continues to change. Our team of specialists are ready to help with bespoke and practical advice and solutions on navigating the tricky and constantly changing immigration landscape. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help.


Disclaimer: We remind you that while this article provides commentary on employment law, health and safety and immigration topics, it should not be used as a substitute for legal or professional advice for specific situations. Please seek legal advice from your lawyer for any questions specific to your workplace.


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