New Zealand

New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa

Obtain Residence Through a Qualifying Investment

The Active Investor Plus Visa grants qualifying investors New Zealand residence through approved investments in businesses and assets.

Successful applicants may live, work and study in New Zealand and include an eligible partner and dependent children.

About New Zealand

New Zealand offers a transparent legal system, stable business environment and opportunities across technology, agriculture, renewable energy and property development.

The program seeks capital, international experience and commercial networks.

Investment Categories

• Growth Category
  • Minimum investment of NZD $5 million
  • Three-year investment period
  • Direct investments and approved managed funds
  • Up to 20% in qualifying philanthropy
  • Minimum physical presence of 21 days
• Balanced Category
  • Minimum investment of NZD $10 million
  • Five-year investment period
  • Funds, equities, bonds, philanthropy and qualifying development
  • Minimum physical presence of 105 days
• Reducing the Balanced Category Residence Requirement
  • Additional Growth-category investments may reduce the 105-day requirement.
  • Each NZD $1 million reduces 14 days, to a 63-day minimum.

Approval in Principle and Transfer of Funds

Applicants must prove eligibility, character and lawful fund ownership.

After approval in principle, funds are normally invested within six months.

Lawful Source of Funds

Lawful-source evidence may include:

• Business financial statements and tax records
• Employment, dividend and shareholding income
• Property-sale, bank and investment records
• Inheritance or gift documentation

Family Eligibility

The application may include:

• An eligible partner
• Dependent children aged 24 or younger

Evidence of family relationships and financial dependency may be required.

Health, Character and Investor Suitability

Applicants and family members must satisfy health and character requirements.

The principal applicant must be fit and proper, considering business conduct, tax and employment compliance, criminal history, financial integrity and the lawful source of funds.

Investment-Maintenance Requirements

Applicants must maintain:

• At least NZD $5 million for three years under Growth
• At least NZD $10 million for five years under Balanced

Periodic evidence is required; proceeds must be timely reinvested in acceptable assets.

Processing Times

Many applications may reach approval in principle in about 10 weeks.

Total timing depends on documents, checks and fund transfer.

Residence Requirements

Applicants must spend:

• At least 21 days in New Zealand under Growth
• At least 105 days under Balanced, subject to reduction

All investment and reporting conditions must also be maintained.

Program Benefits

• New Zealand resident status
• Eligible partner and children included
• Rights to live, work and study
• Two investment categories
• Limited physical-presence requirements
• No English-language requirement for the investor visa
• Potential permanent residence and citizenship

Path to Permanent Residence

Permanent residence may follow three Growth years or five Balanced years.

They must satisfy the investment, physical-presence and reporting conditions.

Potential Path to New Zealand Citizenship

Citizenship generally requires five years of residence, sufficient physical presence, good character, English ability and intent to remain.

Investor-visa presence alone is normally insufficient.