What is the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?

The New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa (also known as the New Zealand Investment Visa) is a residency-by-investment program that allows international investors to obtain New Zealand residency by making a qualifying investment in the country's economy. The program offers two investment options: Option A (Growth Category) requiring NZD $5 million in direct investments or managed funds over a 3-year period, and Option B (Balanced Category) requiring NZD $10 million across a broader range of asset classes over a 5-year period. There is no language requirement, and physical residency commitments are manageable. After the investment period, applicants can apply for Permanent Residency, with a potential pathway to citizenship after 5 years.

What are the two investment options for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?

Option A (Growth Category) requires a minimum investment of NZD $5 million in direct investments and/or managed funds. The investment period is 3 years, and the minimum physical residency requirement is 21 days over that period. Option B (Balanced Category) requires a minimum investment of NZD $10 million across a broader range of asset classes including bonds, listed equities, philanthropy, property development (new residential, or new or existing commercial or industrial), and Growth Category acceptable investments such as direct investments and managed funds. The investment period is 5 years, and the minimum physical residency requirement is 105 days, which can be reduced with additional direct investments (see below).

What are the physical residency requirements for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?

The physical residency requirements depend on the investment option chosen. Option A investors must spend at least 21 days in New Zealand over the 3-year investment period. Option B investors must spend at least 105 days in New Zealand over the 5-year investment period. However, Option B investors can reduce this requirement: every additional NZD $1 million invested in direct investments or managed funds (above the base NZD $10 million) reduces the residency requirement by 14 days, up to a maximum deduction of 42 days — meaning the minimum possible residency requirement under Option B is 63 days over 5 years.

What types of investments qualify under Option B of the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?

Option B (Balanced Category) accepts a wider range of investment types than Option A. Qualifying investments include: bonds, listed equities, philanthropy, property development (new residential property, or new or existing commercial or industrial property), and Growth Category investments such as direct investments and managed funds. The full NZD $10 million must be deployed across these asset classes during the 5-year investment period.

When can I apply for Permanent Residency under the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?

Applicants can apply for New Zealand Permanent Residency after completing the full investment period: after 3 years for Option A investors, or after 5 years for Option B investors. To qualify, applicants must have maintained their qualifying investment throughout the relevant investment period and satisfied the applicable physical residency requirements. After obtaining Permanent Residency, there is a potential pathway to New Zealand citizenship after 5 years, subject to meeting the relevant conditions at that stage.

Are there language requirements for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?

No. The New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa has no language requirement at any stage of the application or residency process. This makes it one of the more accessible English-speaking country residency programs for international investors.

Who can be included as dependents in a New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa application?

The main applicant can include a spouse or partner, and dependent children up to 24 years old at the time of submission. This is a notably generous age threshold for dependent children compared to many other residency programs, which typically cap dependents at 18 or 21 years old.

What are the health and character requirements for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?

All applicants must satisfy New Zealand's standard health and character requirements. This includes providing evidence of good health (typically via a medical examination) and a clean criminal record. These are standard requirements applied across New Zealand's immigration categories and are assessed as part of the eligibility evaluation process.

How long does the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa application process take?

The application process involves an initial eligibility assessment, followed by submission of the Active Investor Plus application pack. The estimated processing time to Approval in Principle is approximately 4 months. Upon receiving Approval in Principle, the investment funds must be transferred to New Zealand within 6 months. After completing the full investment period (3 years for Option A, 5 years for Option B) and meeting the physical residency requirements, the applicant can then apply for Permanent Residency.

How does the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa compare to other Asia-Pacific investor residency programs?

The New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa sits at a higher investment threshold than most regional alternatives, but offers strong lifestyle, education, and healthcare benefits alongside a clear and relatively fast pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. Compared to Malaysia MM2H (from MYR 600,000 for Silver tier) or Hong Kong CIES (HKD 30 million), the New Zealand program requires NZD $5–10 million but provides full residency rights and a citizenship pathway in a stable, high-quality English-speaking country. The minimal physical residency requirement — as low as 21 days over 3 years for Option A — makes it one of the most flexible investor residency programs available in the Asia-Pacific region.

New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa

The New Zealand Investment Visa also known as the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa provides a streamlined pathway for international investors to achieve residency while actively engaging in the country’s investment opportunities. This program is designed to offer flexibility, featuring no language requirement and manageable physical residency commitments alongside maintaining a qualifying investment.

New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Benefits

Residency and Family Inclusion

Dependents included:

Spouse or partner.
Dependent children of up to 24 years old at the time of submission.

Travel and Quality of Life

Invest in New Zealand’s high value and growth investment opportunities – and obtain residency in exchange.
Advanced education and healthcare systems.

Ease of Access

Apply for Permanent Residency (PR) after Investment Period of 3 years if Option A Investment; or 5 years if Option B Investment.
Potential path to citizenship after 5 years, subject to conditions.
No language requirement.

New Zealand Investor visa requirements

Maintain Qualifying investment during Investment Period.
Satisfy New Zealand health and character requirements.
Physical residency requirements over the relevant Investment Period: Option A: at least 21 days / Option B: at least 105 days. If Option B selected: Extra NZD 1M in direct investments or managed funds will knock-off 14 days – up to max deduction of 42 days (so min 63 days requirement).

New Zealand Investor visa Options

Option A Investment: Growth Category

NZ $5 million: Direct investments and/or investments in managed funds.

Option B Investment: Balanced Category

NZ $10 million in

Bonds;
Listed equities;
Philanthropy;
Property development (new residential or new/existing commercial or industrial); and
Growth Category acceptable investments direct investments and/or investments in managed

Assigned Legal Counsel

Laure Cochet

Senior Associate
(England & Wales)

With over 20 years of international legal experience across Hong Kong, England, and Wales, Laure specializes in guiding high-net-worth clients through New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa program. Her expertise in immigration law and private client matters ensures a seamless pathway to residency.

The Law Society of Hong Kong

Request a price breakdown
and eligibility evaluation

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New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Process

Due Diligence And Application

Satisfy Eligibility Assessment.
Submit an Active Investor Plus application pack (Estimated 4 months to Approval in Principle).

Approval And Investment

Upon approval, transfer of the investment funds to NZ within 6 months

Residency

The applicant can apply for Permanent Resident after the Investment Period.

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