Best New Zealand Business bank accounts for non-residents
If you’ve got business interests in New Zealand you may benefit from easy ways to manage your money in NZD, taking payments in New Zealand dollars, sending money to suppliers or receiving bank transfers. Opening a business bank account with a New Zealand bank may be an option – but as a non resident not all accounts are likely to be suited to your needs.
This guide looks at places to start your search for a great non-resident business account for New Zealand. Plus we’ll also include online alternatives like Wise and Airwallex which can help business owners in many countries and regions open accounts to hold and manage NZD, even as a non-resident.
Quick summary: New Zealand bank Business account for non-residents
Wise – Low cost currency conversion which uses the mid-market rate, debit and expense cards, and easy ways to pay and get paid in foreign currencies
Airwallex – Choice of account plans, including one with no ongoing fee to hold and receive 20+ currencies
ANZ – Full service bank business account which offers international features that can be helpful to non-resident business owners
BNZ – Business support to select an appropriate account, and get all the financial services you need for your business
Westpac – Business accounts for start ups, scaling companies and large organisations
Can a foreigner open a Business bank account in New Zealand?
Yes. However your options may vary quite a lot depending on where you live, where your business is registered and your specific needs.
New Zealand banks may offer business accounts to non-residents, but whether or not this is possible will depend on a range of factors. Generally you need to talk to a business service manager from the bank you prefer, to establish which accounts may suit your needs, and talk through costs and features.
As a simpler alternative, providers like Wise and Airwallex have NZD accounts which you can open from many countries, giving great access for non-resident customers. You’ll be able to apply from your home country, and get an account which offers ways to manage NZD along with many other currencies. Different accounts have their own features, but there are options with no ongoing fees, cards for you and your team, low cost currency conversion and more. These can present very good alternatives to a business bank account if you’re not a resident of New Zealand.
5 Best New Zealand Business accounts for non-residents
To give you an idea of where to start your search, we’ll look at 2 providers which offer non-resident accounts for businesses, and 3 banks which may also be able to help. It’s important to note that banks may have eligibility requirements on some accounts which can mean non-residents aren’t entitled to open every account. Services are often arranged via a business relationship manager, so you’ll need to talk through your personal situation with your relationship manager to understand what’s available to you.
| Provider/Bank | Account fees | Non-resident business account requirements | Best features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | No ongoing fee
Fees vary by country you live in – for example, in New Zealand there’s a 40 NZD one time fee for full feature access |
Open as a business owner or freelancer from New Zealand or many other countries | ✅Hold and exchange 40+ currencies
✅ Send and receive payments in NZD and other major currencies ✅Get debit and expense cards ✅Mid-market rate currency exchange
|
| Airwallex | Fees vary by country you live in – for example, in New Zealand you can choose a plan from 0 NZD – 499 NZD a month | Open as a business owner from New Zealand or many other countries | ✅ 20+ currencies supported
✅ Choose different plans based on your needs ✅Issue corporate cards for spending ✅Take customer card payments |
| ANZ | Fees vary by account selected | Non-resident business owners will need to speak to the bank to check their eligibility | ✅ Large and trusted bank with a good branch and ATM network
✅Chinese language service available ✅Ways to send international payments digitally ✅ Dedicated relationship management |
| BNZ | Fees vary by account selected | Non-resident business owners will need to speak to the bank to check their eligibility | ✅ Selection of transaction and savings accounts for businesses
✅ Dedicated business account management ✅Take on and offline card payments ✅Loans and working capital, as well as credit cards |
| Westpac | Fees vary by account selected | Non-resident business owners will need to speak to the bank to check their eligibility | ✅ Large branch network with ATM access as needed
✅ Face to face service options ✅Broad selection of account types, with business extras like loans ✅ International payment solutions |
*Details correct at time of writing – 14th May 2025
Wise Business account
Great for: Low cost currency conversion which uses the mid-market rate, debit and expense cards, and easy ways to pay and get paid in foreign currencies
Wise Business accounts can be opened from New Zealand and also by non-residents from many other countries, with access to ways to receive, manage, exchange, send and spend NZD even as a non-resident. As Wise lets you hold and exchange 40+ currencies in total, a Wise Business account can be a smart option if you want to send, receive and manage multiple currencies, including NZD, side by side.
Fees: No fee to register, no ongoing fee, 40 NZD one time fee for full feature access
Foreign currencies: Hold 40+ currencies, receive in 8+ currencies
Eligibility: New Zealand residents and non-resident customers from many countries and regions globally
| Pros of Wise | Cons of Wise |
|---|---|
| ✅Hold and exchange 40+ currencies
✅ Receive payments in NZD and other major currencies ✅Send payments overseas, and spend with debit and expense cards ✅Mid-market rate currency exchange ✅ No ongoing fees |
❌ Variable currency exchange fees
❌ Some ATM fees apply depending on usage ❌ No cash deposit service |
How to open a Wise account as a non-resident
Open your Wise account online or in app from New Zealand or any other supported country.
- Open the Wise app or desktop site
- Tap Sign up and confirm you want a business account
- Follow prompts to enter your personal and contact information
- Upload verification documents
- Once verified you can transact
Airwallex Business account
Great for: Choice of account plans, including one with no ongoing fee to hold and receive 20+ currencies
Airwallex has 4 different account tiers in New Zealand which are designed to fit businesses of different size and scale. There’s one plan with no ongoing fee to pay which has ways to receive and hold 20+ currencies, options to receive customer card payments, and corporate card services. Or you can upgrade to plans with fees from 99 NZD to 499 NZD a month which offer a broader range of services, such as more integrations, additional corporate cards or dedicated account management support.
Airwallex allows applications from businesses all over the world, so the fees you pay may vary depending on where you are. You’ll still be able to manage NZD even if you’re not a New Zealand resident, making this a strong choice for non-residents looking for a New Zealand business account.
Fees: 0 NZD – 499 NZD/month fees
Foreign currencies: Hold and receive in 20+ currencies
Eligibility: New Zealand residents and non-resident customers from many countries and regions globally
| Pros of Airwallex | Cons of Airwallex |
|---|---|
| ✅Hold and receive 20+ currencies
✅ Choose different plans based on your needs ✅Issue corporate cards for spending ✅Take customer card payments ✅ Optimised for digital businesses |
❌ No cash services
❌ Transaction and currency fees apply ❌ No branch network for face to face service |
How to open an Airwallex account as a non-resident
Open your Airwallex account online or in app from New Zealand or any other supported country.
- Open the Airwallex app or desktop site
- Tap Sign up and confirm you want a business account
- Follow prompts to enter your personal and contact information
- Upload verification documents
- Once verified you can transact
ANZ New Zealand Business account
Great for: Full service bank business account which offers international features that can be helpful to non-resident business owners
ANZ has a range of business accounts including some which may be suited to non-resident business owners. You’ll need to check your eligibility for any given package with the bank directly, as there are likely to be other criteria you must meet to apply. ANZ does specifically market services to businesses which operate across New Zealand and Australia, for example, but these may be reserved for institutional clients rather than smaller businesses. There are also specific services for Chinese speakers, which are aimed at business owners entering New Zealand from China.
Get in touch with ANZ’s business banking team to discuss your personal needs as a non-resident business owner to understand which accounts may suit your needs.
Fees: Variable fees depending on the account you select
Foreign currencies: Basic accounts are in NZD, with ways to send global payments and receive incoming international payments into dedicated foreign currency accounts
Eligibility: Varied by account type – ask a business relationship manager to help you select an account
| Pros of ANZ New Zealand | Cons of ANZ New Zealand |
|---|---|
| ✅ Large and trusted bank with a range of services
✅ Good branch and ATM network ✅Some services are aimed at foreigners ✅Ways to send international payments digitally ✅ Dedicated relationship management |
❌ Not all accounts are available for non-residents
❌ Account fees may apply depending on your choices ❌ Everyday accounts are issued in NZD only |
How to open a ANZ New Zealand account as a non-resident
Contact an ANZ banking relationship manager to ask for support and to help you select a suitable account as a non-resident business owner.
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BNZ Business account
Great for: Business support to select an appropriate account, and get all the financial services you need for your business
BNZ offers a range of accounts including transaction and savings accounts for small and growing businesses. Whether these accounts are suitable for you as a non-resident will depend on your particular situation and where you’re a resident. The country your business is registered in may also make a difference. The bank has dedicated support to talk you through the choices and options available to you, depending on your particular needs.
Fees: Variable fees depending on the account you select
Foreign currencies: Transaction accounts are in NZD, with ways to send global payments online and in branches
Eligibility: Varied by account type – ask a business relationship manager to help you select an account
| Pros of BNZ | Cons of BNZ |
|---|---|
| ✅ Selection of transaction and savings accounts for businesses
✅ Dedicated business account management ✅Take on and offline card payments ✅Loans and working capital, as well as credit cards ✅ Co working and meeting spaces available |
❌ Not all accounts are available for non residents
❌ Ongoing account and transaction fees apply ❌ Currency exchange may include a markup |
How to open a BNZ account as a non-resident
Contact a BNZ banking relationship manager to ask for support and to help you select a suitable account as a non-resident business owner.
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Westpac Business account
Great for: Business accounts for start ups, scaling companies and large organisations
As a large regional bank, Westpac has a selection of account services which could appeal to non-residents who are eligible to apply. Eligibility will depend on your situation, and you’ll be offered the opportunity to talk to a business relationship manager to discuss your needs and assess suitability of different accounts and services for you.
Westpac offers accounts spanning all business needs, and also international services to process payments, send money and support with treasury management for larger business customers.
Fees: Variable fees depending on the account you select
Foreign currencies: Open accounts in NZD, with international services built in
Eligibility: Varied by account type – ask a business relationship manager to help you select an account
| Pros of Westpac | Cons of Westpac |
|---|---|
| ✅ Large branch network with ATM access as needed
✅ Face to face service options ✅Broad selection of account types, with business extras like loans ✅Regional presence, particularly through Australia ✅ International payment solutions |
❌ You’ll need to check your eligibility for accounts before applying
❌ Most day to day transaction accounts hold NZD only ❌ Transaction and account fees may apply |
How to open a Westpac account as a non-resident
Contact a Westpac banking relationship manager to ask for support and to help you select a suitable account as a non-resident business owner.
Other New Zealand Business bank accounts for foreigners
Which other options are available for you may depend on where you live. For example, if you’re a resident in a country where Revolut Business Accounts are available, this can present a good option for managing NZD. Or, you may find that other New Zealand banks like Kiwibank suit your personal needs – shop around to compare the options based on your personal situation.
How to open a New Zealand bank account as a foreigner
As a general rule, to open a New Zealand bank account as a foreigner non-resident you’ll need to deal directly with a business banking specialist. This allows the bank to take more information about your needs and the type of business you have, to explore which accounts they can offer you. Once you’ve selected a bank and an account you’ll then follow the application process, which will require you to provide personal and business documents, and may mean coming to New Zealand to register in person.
Conclusion: Best New Zealand Business bank for non-resident
New Zealand banks might be able to extend services for business owners who do not live in the country, but this will depend on a range of other factors including the country the business is registered in. Some banks reserve some services for specific customers, such as Australian residents doing business in New Zealand, so you’ll need to contact your preferred bank directly to check what’s available based on your specific situation.
As an alternative, digital business account providers like Wise and Airwallex present a simple and flexible solution for non–residents. You can still manage, send and receive NZD, but you can apply for your account from many different countries, with features on offer including international payments, spending cards and ways to cut financial administration. Compare the options available to you from specialist providers before you decide which account type to open.
New Zealand bank account FAQs
Which New Zealand Banks open accounts for non-New Zealand residents?
New Zealand banks set their own policies about eligibility for business accounts, and so not all are offered to non-resident customers. You’ll need to talk to your preferred bank to check what’s available – try ANZ, BNZ or Westpac as good places to start. Or check out digital business account providers like Wise and Airwallex which have accounts for residents of many countries globally.
Can I open a New Zealand bank account as a non-New Zealand citizen?
Yes. It’s easier to open an account if you’re a resident of New Zealand, but even as a non-resident foreigner some accounts are available. Compare banks with options like Wise and Airwallex which can often offer more flexible and cheaper account services.
Which New Zealand banks are international?
New Zealand has a selection of banks which operate regionally or globally, and all banks have some international services like global payments. Compare a few to see which is best for you based on convenience and cost.
