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New Zealand's investor visa program, commonly called the "Golden Visa," offers wealthy individuals a pathway to residency through significant financial investment. The program requires minimum investments starting from NZD 5 million and provides a clear route to permanent residency and eventual citizenship for successful applicants and their families.
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New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa requires NZD 5-10 million investment over 3-5 years, leading to permanent residency and potential citizenship.
The program excludes direct residential property purchases but allows property development investments under specific conditions.
| Investment Category | Minimum Amount | Investment Period | Minimum Stay Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | NZD 5 million | 3 years | 21 days over 3 years |
| Balanced | NZD 10 million | 5 years | 105 days over 5 years |
| Acceptable Investments | Managed funds, business equity, bonds | Property development (Balanced only) | No direct residential purchases |
| Family Inclusion | Spouse/partner included | Children up to age 24 | All family members covered |
| Path to Citizenship | After 5 years residence | Permanent residency first | Must demonstrate NZ ties |
Does New Zealand actually have a "Golden Visa" program?
New Zealand does not officially use the term "Golden Visa" in its immigration programs.
The correct name for New Zealand's investment-based residency program is the Active Investor Plus Visa, which replaced the previous Investor Category visas in 2025. While media outlets and migration consultants commonly refer to it as a "Golden Visa," all official government documents and Immigration New Zealand communications use the formal program name.
This Active Investor Plus Visa operates similarly to other countries' golden visa programs by offering residency in exchange for substantial financial investment. The program launched with updated requirements in 2025, streamlining the application process and removing previous language requirements that had deterred many wealthy investors.
Understanding the correct terminology becomes important when researching official requirements, as searching for "Golden Visa" on Immigration New Zealand's website will not yield direct results, while "Active Investor Plus Visa" provides comprehensive program details.
What are the main investment pathways to get New Zealand residency?
New Zealand offers three primary investment-based pathways to residency, each targeting different investor profiles and financial capabilities.
The Active Investor Plus Visa represents the main route, offering two distinct categories: Growth (NZD 5 million minimum) and Balanced (NZD 10 million minimum). The Growth category targets investors willing to take higher-risk investments in New Zealand businesses and startups, while the Balanced category allows more conservative investment approaches including property development and established businesses.
The Entrepreneur Work Visa provides an alternative pathway for individuals starting or purchasing existing New Zealand businesses. This route requires lower initial capital but demands active business management and job creation commitments. Successful entrepreneurs can transition to residency after demonstrating business success over two years.
The Parent Retirement Resident Visa offers residency for parents of New Zealand citizens or residents, requiring NZD 1 million investment plus additional settlement funds. This pathway specifically targets family reunification rather than pure investment migration.
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What is the minimum investment amount required for the business investment program?
The Active Investor Plus Visa requires minimum investments of NZD 5 million or NZD 10 million depending on the chosen category.
The Growth category demands NZD 5 million invested over three years, targeting higher-risk investments that contribute to New Zealand's economic development. These investments must focus on growth sectors including technology startups, innovative businesses, and emerging industries that create jobs and economic value.
The Balanced category requires NZD 10 million invested over five years, allowing more conservative investment approaches. This category accepts investments in established businesses, managed funds, government bonds, and approved property development projects that add housing stock or commercial space.
Both categories require maintaining investments for the full required period without early withdrawal. The investment amounts represent genuine committed capital, not loans or leveraged funds, and must demonstrate legal source through comprehensive financial documentation.
As of June 2025, these amounts remain fixed with no inflation adjustments announced, making the program predictable for long-term investment planning.
Can you qualify through real estate investment alone?
Direct residential property purchases do not qualify for New Zealand's investor visa program.
Purchasing existing homes, apartments, or land for personal use or rental income cannot count toward the required investment amounts. This restriction applies to both the Growth and Balanced categories, reflecting New Zealand's policy to prevent foreign investment from inflating residential property prices for local buyers.
However, property development projects qualify under the Balanced category when they create new housing stock or commercial properties. Acceptable development investments include building new residential complexes, converting commercial buildings to residential use, or developing commercial properties that create jobs and economic activity.
Property development investments require regulatory approval and must demonstrate clear economic benefits to New Zealand communities. The development must be genuine construction or major renovation projects, not cosmetic improvements to existing properties.
Investors choosing property development routes must work with Immigration New Zealand to ensure their projects meet eligibility criteria before committing funds, as rejected developments cannot count toward investment requirements.
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What are the specific requirements for the business investment route?
The business investment route demands meeting investment thresholds, residency requirements, and comprehensive background checks.
| Requirement Category | Growth Category | Balanced Category |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Amount | NZD 5 million | NZD 10 million |
| Investment Period | 3 years | 5 years |
| Minimum Stay | 21 days over 3 years | 105 days over 5 years |
| Age Limit | 65 years maximum | 65 years maximum |
| English Requirement | None (removed 2025) | None (removed 2025) |
| Health Assessment | Medical examination required | Medical examination required |
| Character Check | Police certificates from all countries | Police certificates from all countries |
How long does the investor visa last and can it lead to permanent residency?
The Active Investor Plus Visa grants temporary residency for the investment period, with clear pathways to permanent residency.
Growth category holders receive three-year temporary residency, while Balanced category holders get five years. During this period, investors must maintain their required investments and meet minimum stay requirements to remain eligible for permanent residency applications.
After successfully completing the investment period and residency requirements, holders can apply for permanent residency status. Permanent residency allows indefinite stay in New Zealand without further investment obligations or minimum stay requirements.
The transition from temporary to permanent residency typically processes within 6-12 months after application submission, provided all requirements were met during the investment period. Permanent residents can then apply for New Zealand citizenship after five years of continuous residence.
This structured pathway provides certainty for investors planning long-term relocation, with clearly defined timelines from initial investment to potential citizenship.
Is there a clear path from investment residency to New Zealand citizenship?
New Zealand provides a straightforward pathway from investment residency to citizenship for successful applicants.
After obtaining permanent residency through the investor program, residents can apply for citizenship after five years of continuous residence in New Zealand. This five-year period includes time spent on the initial investor visa, meaning total time from first visa to citizenship eligibility ranges from 8-10 years depending on the category chosen.
Citizenship applicants must demonstrate ongoing ties to New Zealand through employment, business interests, property ownership, or family connections. They must also meet character requirements and show basic English proficiency, though extensive testing is not required for investor visa holders.
The citizenship application process typically takes 12-18 months from submission to approval. New Zealand citizenship provides visa-free travel to over 180 countries and full voting rights in national and local elections.
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Can family members be included in the investor visa application?
The Active Investor Plus Visa includes comprehensive family coverage for spouses and dependent children.
Spouses or de facto partners automatically qualify for inclusion in the primary applicant's visa without additional investment requirements. Partners receive the same residency rights and work authorization as the primary applicant throughout the investment period.
Dependent children up to age 24 can be included if they remain unmarried and financially dependent on the primary applicant. Children receive full study rights in New Zealand and can transition to independent visa categories upon completing education or reaching financial independence.
Family members included in the application receive the same pathway to permanent residency and citizenship as the primary applicant. They must also meet health and character requirements, including medical examinations and police certificates from countries of previous residence.
Newborn children born after visa approval can be added to the application and may qualify for immediate New Zealand citizenship if born in the country while parents hold resident status.
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What are the step-by-step stages of the application process?
The Active Investor Plus Visa application follows a structured nine-stage process from initial assessment to permanent residency.
Stage 1 involves preliminary eligibility assessment and investment planning, typically taking 2-4 weeks with professional consultation. Stage 2 requires comprehensive document collection including financial records, identity verification, health examinations, and police certificates from all countries of residence.
Stage 3 comprises formal application submission to Immigration New Zealand with all supporting documentation and application fees. Stage 4 involves the initial assessment period where immigration officers review applications for completeness and eligibility, usually taking 3-6 months.
Stage 5 provides "Approval in Principle" for successful preliminary assessments, giving applicants 6-12 months to transfer funds and make required investments. Stage 6 requires providing evidence of completed investments to Immigration New Zealand for verification and approval.
Stage 7 grants the resident visa upon investment verification, allowing physical relocation to New Zealand. Stage 8 involves maintaining investments and meeting stay requirements over the required period (3-5 years). Stage 9 enables permanent residency applications after successfully completing all program requirements.
What supporting documents and financial proofs are needed?
The Active Investor Plus Visa requires extensive documentation proving identity, financial capacity, and legal source of funds.
- Valid passports for all applicants with at least 18 months remaining validity
- Comprehensive proof of legal source of funds including bank statements, tax returns, business sale documents, and asset valuations
- Detailed investment plan showing intended allocation of funds across eligible investment categories
- Medical examinations from Immigration New Zealand approved physicians for all applicants
- Police certificates from all countries where applicants lived 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Identity verification documents including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and adoption papers where relevant
- Evidence of family relationships for included dependents, including dependency declarations and financial support proof
- Professional references and character testimonials from business associates, accountants, or legal representatives
Are there reports of people who succeeded or failed with this visa route?
Recent reports indicate increased success rates following the 2025 program reforms, particularly among American investors.
Economic Times reported a surge in Golden Visa applications from wealthy Americans following policy changes that removed English language requirements and reduced minimum stay obligations. Success rates have improved significantly compared to the previous Investor Category programs that were discontinued.
Industry sources suggest approval rates now exceed 80% for properly prepared applications with complete documentation and eligible investments. The streamlined process has reduced processing times and eliminated many previous rejection factors.
Common success factors include engaging qualified immigration advisers, ensuring complete documentation before submission, and choosing investments from pre-approved categories. Failed applications typically result from incomplete paperwork, ineligible investments, or character/health issues rather than program design flaws.
Migration law firms report positive feedback from clients who successfully obtained residency, with many proceeding to permanent residency applications ahead of schedule due to efficient program administration.
What common pitfalls should investors avoid when applying?
Application errors, inappropriate investments, and documentation gaps represent the primary rejection risks for investor visa applicants.
The most frequent mistake involves investing in ineligible assets, particularly existing residential property purchases that cannot count toward investment requirements. Many applicants assume any property investment qualifies, leading to expensive errors that delay applications and require fund repositioning.
Incomplete or inadequate proof of legal source of funds causes significant delays and rejections. Immigration officers require comprehensive documentation tracing funds from original sources through all transfers and conversions, including detailed explanations for large transactions or asset sales.
Health and character issues often surprise applicants who assumed clean records guaranteed approval. Minor health conditions can require additional medical assessments, while old criminal charges or civil disputes may need legal resolution before application approval.
Missing minimum stay requirements during the investment period can jeopardize permanent residency applications even when investments remain compliant. Investors must carefully track their time in New Zealand and plan travel to meet obligations.
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Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa offers a structured pathway to residency for wealthy investors willing to commit NZD 5-10 million over 3-5 years.
The program excludes direct residential property purchases but accepts property development, business investments, and managed funds, making it suitable for diverse investment strategies while leading to permanent residency and eventual citizenship.
Sources
- Dentons - New Zealand as a Safe Haven
- Economic Times - Golden Visa Surge
- Aviation A2Z - Relaxed Golden Visa Rules
- Harvey Law Corporation - Move to New Zealand
- Henley Global - New Zealand Residence
- Golden Visas - New Zealand
- Immigration New Zealand - Business Visas
- Aviation A2Z - Investor Plus Visa Categories
- Immigration New Zealand - Acceptable Investments
- Residencies.io - New Zealand Permanent Residency