Google searches for “move to New Zealand” from the United States have doubled since 2020, with significant spikes following major political events. Americans are increasingly looking beyond their borders for new opportunities and a change of lifestyle.
While many Americans explore various visa options, investment immigration in New Zealand stands out as a direct route for those with the financial means. This pathway offers faster processing times, fewer restrictions, more certainty in outcomes, and greater flexibility for families.
New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa program provides an attractive option that combines lifestyle benefits with investment opportunities. Harvey Law Corporation specializes in global investment immigration and has guided numerous American clients through this process.
(Read also: New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa)
Why Americans Choose to Move to New Zealand
New Zealand consistently ranks in the top ten countries for quality of life worldwide, offering Americans compelling reasons to relocate. The country’s renowned work-life balance differs markedly from the American experience, with most Kiwis enjoying shorter workweeks and more vacation time amid incredibly beautiful nature scenes.
Nature enthusiasts appreciate the country’s stunning landscapes — from beaches to mountains — accessible within short driving distances. With a population of just 5 million spread across a land area similar to Colorado, New Zealand offers space and natural beauty that many Americans find refreshing.
Political stability is a key attraction. New Zealand’s parliamentary system, transparent governance, and low corruption ratings provide a stark contrast to the increasingly polarized American political landscape.
For families considering the move, New Zealand’s education system delivers high-quality public and private options from primary through university levels, with significantly lower college tuition costs than US institutions. The healthcare system ranks higher than the US on access, affordability, and outcomes.
Business owners and entrepreneurs find New Zealand’s straightforward regulatory environment and strong economy appealing. The World Bank consistently ranks New Zealand among the easiest places to start and operate a business, with minimal red tape and corruption.
For those who qualify, the investment immigration pathway reduces wait times from years to months compared to other visa options, making it an efficient choice for Americans ready to move to New Zealand without delay.
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Overview
The Active Investor Plus Visa program, launched in 2022, offers a clear path for Americans to move to New Zealand and obtain residency through financial investment.
Basic Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, meet health and character requirements, and make an investment ranging from NZ$5 million to NZ$10 million depending on the chosen category. The program doesn’t require previous business experience or English language proficiency, making it accessible to a wider range of investors than several other programs.
Family Benefits
Main applicants can include their spouse or partner and dependent children up to age 24 on the same application. This allows families to relocate together without filing separate applications.
Physical Residence Requirements
Stay requirements vary by investment category but are generally flexible. Depending on the investment level and type, applicants may need to spend as little as 21 days (spread as they wish over a 3 years’ period), or 105 days (spread as they wish over a 5 years period) in New Zealand, depending on the investment option they have selected.
Path to Permanent Status
After holding the investment for three years (or five years depending on the investment option selected) and meeting the modest physical presence requirements mentioned above, applicants become eligible to apply for permanent residence. After only five years of residence in New Zealand, citizenship becomes an option if desired.
When compared to work visas or other residence pathways, the Active Investor Plus Visa offers greater certainty, fewer restrictions on employment, faster processing, and more flexibility in residence requirements, making it an optimal choice for Americans.
(You may be interested in: Permanent Residency in New Zealand : Process, Benefits & Eligibility)
New Zealand Investment Visa Options
Option A: Growth Category (NZ$5 million)
The Growth Category requires a minimum investment of NZ$5 million, which can be made in the form of direct investments in New Zealand businesses or investments in approved managed funds (i.e. venture capital/private equity/private credit). This flexibility permits applicants to make investments that match their personal risks profiles and goals.
Direct investments can be made in approved local companies establishing new businesses or providing expansion capital to existing operations. These investments must be active rather than passive, meaning they should contribute to job creation, export growth, or innovation.
For those preferring professional management and to spread their investments portfolio, investments in approved managed funds provide a hands-off alternative while still qualifying for residence. These funds focus on growth-stage New Zealand companies across various sectors including technology, agriculture, and healthcare.
The minimum stay requirement under the Growth Category is just 21 days in New Zealand over the three-year investment period, ideal for Americans who want residency rights while maintaining business interests in the US and worldwide.
Option B: Balanced Category (NZ$10 million)
The Balanced Category requires a larger investment of NZ$10 million but offers greater diversity in investment options. This category suits investors seeking a mixed portfolio with various risk levels.
The NZ$10 million can be spread across several investment types:
- bonds (including New Zealand government bonds) for secure but lower returns
- Listed equities on the New Zealand Stock Exchange
- Philanthropy investments in approved charitable organizations
- Property development projects that create new housing or commercial spaces
- Any investments that qualify under the Growth Category
The residency requirement increases to 105 days over a five years’ investment period. However, this can be reduced if additional funds are invested towards direct investments or managed funds that support New Zealand businesses. Every extra NZD 1M invested in direct investments or managed funds will permit to knock-off 14 days – up to a maximum deduction of 42 days. In other words, the very minimum physical residency requirement for the Balanced Category could be as low as 63 days over a 5 years’ period if investing NZD 13M (out of which at least NZD 3M in direct investments or managed funds)
A well-structured portfolio considers tax implications, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs while satisfying immigration requirements. Professional guidance from Harvey Law Group helps high-net-worth individuals create investment plans that meet both immigration criteria and personal financial goals.
Strategic Application Planning
The journey to become a New Zealand resident through investment typically takes about 6 months from submission of application to visa approval. We usually expect an additional 6 months from consultation to submission (or less) to allows for thorough preparation and careful investment planning.
The application process follows these key steps:
- Preliminary eligibility assessment
- Document collection: File preparation and careful investment planning
- Submit Active Investor Plus Visa application
- Approval in principle
- Transfer your funds to New Zealand and make investment (within 6 months of approval in principle)
- Resident visa granted
Documentation requires proof of legally obtained funds, investment plans, health certificates, police clearances, and identity verification. Investors should collect documents at least three months before submission, as some records may take weeks to obtain from government agencies.
The health requirement involves medical examinations from approved physicians. And character requirements include police certificates from all countries where the applicant has lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years.
Investors must verify the legitimate source of funds through bank statements, tax returns, business records, and asset sales documentation. This area receives intense scrutiny, making professional guidance from Harvey Law Group valuable.
Family applications require additional planning, especially for children nearing age 24 who must maintain dependent status throughout the process. Timing becomes crucial to ensure all family members qualify.
Maintaining Investor Visa Status
Once granted, the New Zealand Investor Visa requires ongoing compliance with investment and residence conditions to remain valid. Investments must stay in place for the full three-year period (if Growth Category Investment) or five-year period (if Balanced Category Investment) with minimal changes to maintain visa status.
Visa holders need to track time in New Zealand carefully to meet minimum stay requirements, 21 days over three years for the Growth Category or 105 days over five years for the Balanced Category. These stays can be spread or lumped in one go at the investor’s discretion.
Reporting to Immigration New Zealand happens at 24, and 36 months for the Growth Category; or at 24 and 60 months for the Balanced Category after the initial investment. These reports must show investments remain compliant with visa conditions and the residence requirements that have been met to date.
After maintaining investments for three years/five years (depending on the investment option selected) and meeting physical presence requirements, visa holders become eligible for permanent residence. This status removes the investment obligations while preserving the right to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely.
If investors desire citizenship in New Zealand, they need to show basic English skills and that they have lived in New Zealand for at least 5 years as a resident, , with a minimum of 240 days of physical presence per year for 5 years and at least 1,350 days total. Citizenship brings additional benefits including a New Zealand passport with visa-free access to 185 countries.
When it comes to tax – While New Zealand has no capital gains tax, other taxes apply to different investment types. New residents benefit from a four-year tax exemption on foreign-source income, creating opportunities for tax-efficient structuring before relocating.
Legal Expertise Advantage
Navigating investment immigration requires specialized knowledge. Immigration New Zealand applies strict scrutiny to investor applications, with detailed reviews of financial documentation and investment plans. Professional guidance significantly increases approval chances.
Harvey Law Corporation’s experience with investment immigration spans multiple countries and programs. This international perspective helps anticipate challenges unique to American applicants moving to New Zealand.
The professional approach includes:
- Early screening for potential issues before formal application
- Strategic investment planning that balances immigration requirements with financial goals
- Documentation preparation that anticipates and addresses common concerns
- Direct communication with immigration officials to clarify requirements
- Post-approval guidance on maintaining compliance
Investment immigration combines complex financial planning with immigration law. When the stakes include millions of dollars in investments and a family’s future residence status, expert guidance provides assurance that all details receive proper attention.
Contact Harvey Law Group to start your journey in New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Active Investor Plus Visa compare to other New Zealand visas?
The Active Investor Plus Visa offers faster processing times and fewer restrictions than work visas. Unlike the Skilled Migrant Category, it doesn’t require job offers, language tests, or age restrictions. While requiring significant investment, it provides more certainty, flexibility, and a path to permanent residence and even citizenship for qualified applicants.
Can elderly parents be included in an application?
Parents cannot be included in an investor visa application. However, after 3 years of residence in New Zealand, parents may be sponsored through the Parent Resident Visa category, which has separate requirements.
What types of investments qualify for the “direct investment” category?
Direct investments should be approved New Zealand companies (public or private), establishing new businesses in New Zealand, or expanding existing operations. Investments must be active rather than passive, creating economic benefits such as employment, export growth, or innovation.
Are there tax advantages for investor immigrants?
Yes. New Zealand offers a four-year “transitional resident” tax exemption on foreign-source income for new residents. Additionally, New Zealand has no capital gains tax (apart from certain categories), inheritance tax, or estate tax, creating potential tax advantages compared to the US system.
How quickly can permanent residency be achieved?
Permanent residency becomes available after maintaining investments for three or five years (depending on investment option selected) and meeting physical presence requirements. The application process typically takes 2-3 months following this three/five years period.
What happens if investment performance changes?
Investment performance fluctuations don’t affect visa status as long as funds remain invested in compliant categories. However, selling investments or changing investment categories without prior approval can jeopardize visa and immigration status. Consult with immigration advisors at Harvey Law Group before any changes.
Can visa holders work while on this visa?
Yes. Investor visa holders have unrestricted work rights in New Zealand. They can operate businesses, accept employment, or pursue self-employment without additional permits. This flexibility allows them to remain professionally active while maintaining investor status.
Do I qualify to immigrate to New Zealand?
If you are at least 18 years old, in good health, have a clean criminal record, and can invest between NZ$5 million and NZ$15 million in approved New Zealand assets, you may qualify for the Active Investor Plus Visa. This pathway to residency is open to individuals regardless of English proficiency or previous business experience, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants. You can also include your spouse or partner and dependent children (up to age 24) in the same application. To maintain the visa, you’ll need to meet flexible residence requirements and hold your investment for three years.
