New Zealand isn’t just about breathtaking landscapes and adventure tourism. It’s also a solid destination for high-net-worth individuals that look to invest and settle in a stable, business-friendly country. If you’ve got the funds and the vision, the Active Investor Plus Visa could be your ticket to residency
What is the Active Investor Plus Visa?
This visa is designed for serious investors who want to put their money to work in New Zealand. As of April 2025, it introduces two distinct categories:
1. Growth Category
- Minimum investment: NZD 5 million for 3 years
- Focuses on high-risk investments; think direct investments in businesses and startups.
- Minimum stay: 21 days in New Zealand over 3 years
2. Balanced Category
- Minimum investment: NZD 10 million for 5 years
- Allows a mix of investments, including bonds and commercial property.
- Minimum stay: 105 days in New Zealand over 5 years. With the latest changes, you could be eligbile for minimum stay reduction by investing more.
- $11 million = 14-day reduction
- $12 million = 28-day reduction
- $13 million = 42-day reduction
The lower residency requirement makes this visa ideal for investors who don’t want to fully relocate but still want to gain New Zealand residency. The minimum stay and investment retainment period are section 49 conditions, which have two checkpoints across the duration of investment and are discussed below. You will have to remove these conditions before applying for citizenship.
Currently, the minimum investment amount is NZ$15 million or the weighted equivalent in available assets of funds. This will change come April 1, 2025.
What Can You Invest In?
Like some golden visa programs, investment options are not limited to real estate investment only, New Zealand’s approach focuses on growing the economy through business and innovation.Your money needs to go into productive assets, not just sit in a bank account. As seen on the INZ website, an acceptable investment means the funds that:
- is not for the personal use of the applicant,
- is invested in New Zealand in New Zealand currency, and
- is invested in either one of more of the following
- listed equities
- philanthropy
- managed funds, or
- direct investments
As of April 1, 2025, eligible investments include:
- Direct Business Investments – Injecting capital into high-growth New Zealand companies (startups or established businesses).
- Managed Funds – Private equity or venture capital funds approved by New Zealand authorities.
- Bonds – Government, local government or corporate bonds.
- Listed equities
- Philantropy
- Property Investments – Only new residential developments or new/existing commercial properties (no buying an existing residential houses and calling it an investment!). Currently, existing commercial or industrial properties are not included until April 2025.
How to Apply?
The process is fairly structured:
- Check your eligibility: Make sure you meet the investment criteria.
- Submit your application: Provide details about your background and investment plans. Visa cost from NZ$27,470 to apply.
- Get Approval in Principle: If accepted, you have six months to transfer your funds (extendable by another six months if needed). 80% applications receive AiP within 7 months
- Invest & Prove It: Once the funds are in, submit proof and get your residency confirmed. The investment retainment will be checked after 24 months for both category then 12 or 24 months after the first checkpoint for growth and balanced category respectivel. This is called Section 49 investment retainment checkpoints.
Other Perks of This Visa
✔️ Bring Your Family: Spouse/partner and dependent children (under 24) can be included.
✔️ No English Test: Unlike older investor visas, this one has no language requirement. This another aspect that will be changing from April 2025
✔️ Pathway to Citizenship: After holding residency for 5 years, successful applicants can apply for a New Zealand passport. The New Zealand passport is among the the top 10 in the world on the Henly Passport index allowing access to over 180 destinations worldwide.
So, if you’ve got NZD 5M+ to invest, this visa could be your way into one of the most livable countries in the world.
Thinking about applying? Drop your questions in the comments, and let’s talk!
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