Active Investor Plus Visa

The Active Investor Plus Visa is New Zealand's residence-by-investment programme, designed to attract experienced investors who take an active role in helping New Zealand companies access global knowledge networks, capital, and markets. The programme opened on 19 September 2022, replacing the previous Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories. On 1 April 2025, it was significantly revised with reduced minimum investment thresholds, expanded acceptable investment types, removal of the English language requirement, and reduced physical presence requirements. Two investment categories now exist: Growth (NZD $5 million for 3 years) and Balanced (NZD $10 million for 5 years). As of March 2026, 609 applications have been received, with 219 approved and NZD $1.32 billion committed. The visa is open to applicants of any nationality with no age restriction.

• Minimum investment of NZD $5 million (Growth category) or NZD $10 million (Balanced category) in acceptable New Zealand investments
• Funds must be lawfully earned or acquired and owned by the principal applicant
• No age restriction and no English language requirement
• Must be a fit and proper person with no convictions for dishonesty or involvement in business fraud
• Must meet acceptable standards of health (medical examination and chest X-ray required)
• Borrowed funds are not prohibited but must be disclosed
• No educational, professional, or business experience qualifications required

• Cover letter summarising evidence
• Source of funds documentation (tax returns, business financial statements, property sale receipts, bank certificates, inheritance or gift evidence)
• Police certificates from all countries of citizenship and any country of residence for 12+ months in the past decade (must be less than 6 months old)
• Chest X-ray and medical examination
• Two acceptable passport-sized photographs
• English translations of all non-English documents
• Asset valuations no more than 3 months old at time of application

The resident visa is valid for 4 years (Growth category) or 6 years (Balanced category). The investment period is 36 months for Growth and 60 months for Balanced. After 24 months holding the resident visa, holders become eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, which grants indefinite travel rights. The resident visa does not require renewal — upon meeting all conditions (investment maintained for the required period and physical presence met), holders apply to have conditions removed and transition to permanent residence.

Applications can include a partner or spouse who must demonstrate at least 12 months of genuine and stable cohabitation, plus dependent children aged 24 or younger. Family members are included in the original resident visa application and receive their own resident visas. They must arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of visa grant or reapply. Additional dependent children born after approval can be supported through a separate Dependent Child Resident Visa application. Family members are also eligible for permanent residence once the principal applicant's conditions are met.

New Zealand taxes residents on worldwide income. However, new residents who have not been NZ tax residents in the previous 10 years qualify for transitional resident status, providing a 4-year (48-month) exemption on most foreign-sourced income (excluding foreign employment income). NZ-sourced income is taxable from day one. New Zealand has no capital gains tax (with limited exceptions), no inheritance tax, and no estate tax. Investors who become NZ tax residents must file annual tax returns with Inland Revenue.

Growth category investments include venture capital funds, private equity funds, and direct investment in New Zealand businesses. Balanced category investments additionally include listed equity on the NZX, government and corporate bonds, philanthropy to registered charities, and property development (new residential developments or new/existing commercial/industrial property requiring "material and substantial improvements"). Investments must be in NZD and cannot be for personal use. For the Balanced category, a maximum of 25% may be held in bank accounts or term deposits, with the remaining 75% in listed equities or bonds. House-and-land packages and off-plan purchases are prohibited for property development investments. Passive investments subject to repatriation obligations (such as QDII schemes) are excluded.

Since 6 March 2026, qualifying Active Investor Plus visa holders may apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent to buy or build one residential property in New Zealand valued at NZD $5 million or more. The statutory assessment timeframe is 15 working days (most processed within 5), with fees ranging from NZD $2,040 to $3,500. Each investor is limited to one property under this pathway.

Growth category investors must spend a minimum of 21 days in New Zealand during the 36-month investment period. Balanced category investors must spend a minimum of 105 days during the 60-month investment period, with the option to reduce this by 14 days for each additional NZD $1 million invested in Growth category investments, down to a minimum of 63 days.

1. Apply online through Immigration New Zealand
2. Immigration NZ assesses character, health, source of funds, and investment plan
3. Upon approval in principle (80% processed within 4 months), the applicant has 6 months (extendable by a further 6 months) to transfer nominated investment funds to New Zealand
4. Once funds are transferred and invested in acceptable investments, the resident visa is granted with conditions
5. Investment verification occurs at 24 months and at the end of the investment period (36 or 60 months)
6. Post-investment questionnaires must be completed at each checkpoint
7. Application fee starts from NZD $27,470 (includes application fee and immigration levy)