New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa
The New Zealand government has launched the new Active Investor Plus visa category, as scheduled in September 2022. New Zealand’s Residency-by-Investment Programs such as the Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas had been discontinued. The New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa has now been launched for investors to submit their applications for a New Zealand residency. Successful applicants will be granted indefinite residence and there is a possibility to apply for permanent residency after 4 years and citizenship after 5 years.
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Benefits
Residency and Family Inclusion
- Indefinite residence for successful applicants.
Dependents included:
- Spouse or partner.
- Children up to 24 years old.
Travel and Quality of Life
Access to one of the most advanced education and healthcare systems in the world.
Ease of Access
- Possibility to apply for permanent residency after 4 years.
- Possibility to apply for citizenship after 5 years, subject to language and residency requirements.
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Requirements
- Meet New Zealand health and character requirements.
- Satisfy to a point-based application system.
- Satisfy English language requirements (IELTS 5).
- Investment of NZD 15 million (or the weighted equivalent) made into acceptable investments for a minimum of 4 years.
- Evidence that the funds were earned or acquired lawfully.
- Transfer nominated funds within 6 months from the date of approval-in-principle.
- Spent at least 117 days in New Zealand during the 4-year investment period.
New Zealand Residency Investment Visa Options
Donation and Investments
Acceptable investments carry different weightings toward the NZD 15 million investment threshold. You can invest in a combination of these. Direct investments into a private business will receive the highest weighting. This means that you could meet the required investment amount by investing NZD 5 million into direct investment.
| Investment Type | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Listed Equities: Max. NZD 7.5 Million | X1 - Each $1 invested counts towards $1 of the required threshold |
| Philanthropy: Max. NZD 7.5 Million | X1 - Each $1 invested counts towards $1 of the required threshold |
| Managed Funds | X2 - Each $1 invested counts towards $2 of the required threshold |
| Direct Investments | X3 - Each $1 invested counts towards $3 of the required threshold |
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Process
Processing time To be announced Months
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 – and staggered releases into the qualifying investment over the course of 3 years, to be maintained for a further year.
Residency
The applicant can apply for PR after 4 years.
Contact us
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the investment requirement for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
To meet the investment requirement for the Active Investor Plus Visa, an applicant must invest NZD 15 million in acceptable investments in New Zealand for at least four years.
Who can be included in the application for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
Applicants can include their spouse or partner and dependent children up to 24 years old in their visa application.
Are there any health requirements for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
Health requirements include a mandatory chest x-ray and medical examination to demonstrate good health.
Are there any character requirements for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
Applicants aged 17 and over must provide a Police Certificate from their country of citizenship and any other country where they have lived for 12 months or more in the past ten years.
Is there a points test requirement for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
A points test is required to qualify for the visa.
Is there an age limit to apply for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
There is no age limit for applying for the Active Investor Plus Visa.
Is there an English language requirement for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
English proficiency must be demonstrated with a minimum IELTS score of 5.
Is there a residency requirement for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
Investors and their dependents are required to spend at least 117 days in New Zealand during the four-year investment period.
What types of investments are acceptable for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
Acceptable investments include listed equities, philanthropy, managed funds, and direct investments, all in New Zealand currency and not for personal use.
What is the weighing system for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa, and how is it distributed?
Acceptable investments for the Active Investor Plus Visa vary in their contributions towards the NZD $15 million threshold. Direct investments into a private business offer the highest valuation, allowing investors to efficiently meet the investment requirement.
| Investment Type | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Listed Equities: Max. NZD 7.5 Million | X1 – Each $1 invested counts towards $1 of the required threshold |
| Philanthropy: Max. NZD 7.5 Million | X1 – Each $1 invested counts towards $1 of the required threshold |
| Managed Funds | X2 – Each $1 invested counts towards $2 of the required threshold |
| Direct Investments | X3 – Each $1 invested counts towards $3 of the required threshold |
How can the applicant prove the funds were lawfully earned or acquired (source of investment funds)?
Proof of lawfully earned funds can include tax returns, pay slips, business financial statements, dividends, property sale receipts, and evidence of gifted or inherited money.
Can you invest in property with the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
Property investments are not acceptable unless part of exchange traded funds or managed funds, where property assets must constitute no more than 20% of total assets.
What do you receive when you are granted the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
After the investment period, investors can apply for a permanent resident visa and, following five years of residency, may apply for citizenship, provided they maintain their investment.
Can you apply for citizenship with the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa? If so, after how long?
Eligibility for citizenship requires a 5-year residency and ongoing investment in New Zealand.