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New Zealand offers multiple investor visa routes for wealthy individuals seeking residency through investment.
As of September 2025, the Active Investor Plus Visa remains the most popular golden visa option, requiring minimum investments of NZ$5-10 million in approved assets including commercial property and New Zealand businesses. Unlike many countries, New Zealand does not offer direct residency through residential real estate purchases, focusing instead on investments that contribute to economic growth.
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New Zealand's investor visa program includes several routes with minimum investments ranging from NZ$100,000 to NZ$10 million.
The Active Investor Plus Visa offers the most straightforward path with flexible residency requirements and family inclusion.
| Visa Type | Minimum Investment | Duration | Stay Requirement | Family Included | Commercial Property Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Investor Plus (Growth) | NZ$5 million | 3 years | 21 days total | Yes | Yes |
| Active Investor Plus (Balanced) | NZ$10 million | 5 years | 105 days over 5 years | Yes | Yes |
| Investor 1 Visa | NZ$10 million | 3 years | Minimal | Yes | Yes |
| Investor 2 Visa | NZ$3 million | 4 years | 146 days per year | Yes | Yes |
| Entrepreneur Work Visa | NZ$100,000+ | 3+ years | 184 days per year | Yes | Through business |
Is there actually a golden visa or citizenship by investment program in New Zealand?
New Zealand operates several official residency by investment programs, commonly referred to as "golden visa" routes.
The primary program is the Active Investor Plus Visa, which replaced the previous Investor Category visas in 2025. This program allows wealthy investors to obtain New Zealand residency through substantial financial investments in approved assets.
Additional routes include the traditional Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas, which remain active alongside the newer program. The Entrepreneur Work Visa provides another pathway for business investors willing to actively manage New Zealand enterprises.
As of September 2025, these programs have no annual quotas for most categories, making them accessible to qualified applicants who meet the financial and legal requirements.
Immigration New Zealand officially administers these programs, ensuring they are legitimate government-sanctioned routes to residency and eventual citizenship.
How does the investor or residency through investment program work in New Zealand?
New Zealand's investor residency programs require substantial investments in approved assets over specified time periods, combined with minimal physical presence requirements.
The Active Investor Plus Visa operates on a two-category system: Growth Category requiring NZ$5 million over three years, and Balanced Category requiring NZ$10 million over five years. Investors must transfer funds within 12 months of provisional approval and maintain investments throughout the commitment period.
The program prioritizes investments that contribute to New Zealand's economic growth, including direct business investments, managed funds, listed equities, and commercial property developments. Residential property investments do not qualify for initial residency applications.
Physical presence requirements are remarkably flexible compared to other countries. Growth Category investors need only 21 days total presence over three years, while Balanced Category requires 105 days over five years.
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What is the minimum investment threshold required to qualify?
| Program | Minimum Investment | Investment Period | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Investor Plus (Growth) | NZ$5,000,000 | 3 years | 21 days physical presence |
| Active Investor Plus (Balanced) | NZ$10,000,000 | 5 years | 105 days over 5 years |
| Investor 1 Visa | NZ$10,000,000 | 3 years | No business experience required |
| Investor 2 Visa | NZ$3,000,000 | 4 years | Business experience + quotas |
| Entrepreneur Work Visa | NZ$100,000 | 3+ years | Active business management |
Are there multiple types of investment routes, like business, real estate, or government bonds?
New Zealand offers four distinct investment categories within its approved asset framework for residency programs.
Direct investments in New Zealand businesses represent the highest-priority category, including startup funding, expansion capital, and business acquisitions that create local employment and economic value.
Managed funds including venture capital, private equity, and private credit investments qualify as acceptable investments, provided they focus on New Zealand assets and economic development.
Listed equities on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) constitute another approved category, allowing investors to purchase shares in publicly traded New Zealand companies.
Commercial property investments qualify under specific conditions, including office buildings, retail centers, industrial facilities, and development projects that contribute to economic growth. However, residential property purchases do not qualify for initial residency applications.
Government bonds and similar sovereign debt instruments are notably absent from New Zealand's approved investment categories, distinguishing it from many other golden visa programs globally.
Is there a specific real estate investment route available in New Zealand?
New Zealand does not offer direct residency pathways through residential real estate investments, unlike many other golden visa programs worldwide.
Commercial property investments qualify as acceptable investments under all investor visa categories, including office buildings, retail developments, industrial facilities, and mixed-use projects that demonstrate economic contribution.
The government specifically excludes residential property purchases from qualifying investments to prevent housing market speculation and ensure investments contribute to productive economic activity rather than asset price inflation.
Property development projects may qualify if they involve substantial commercial components or contribute significantly to New Zealand's infrastructure and economic development goals.
Investors seeking real estate exposure can achieve this through listed property trusts on the NZX or managed funds that invest in commercial real estate portfolios, both of which qualify as acceptable investments.
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What are the main requirements for the business or entrepreneur investment option?
The Entrepreneur Work Visa requires a minimum investment of NZ$100,000 in a New Zealand business venture, significantly lower than other investor categories.
- Submit a comprehensive business plan demonstrating economic benefit to New Zealand, including job creation projections, market analysis, and financial forecasts
- Prove relevant business experience through previous entrepreneurial activities, management roles, or industry expertise in the proposed business sector
- Demonstrate active management involvement in the business, requiring hands-on operational control rather than passive investment
- Meet character requirements through police clearances and background checks from all countries of residence
- Satisfy health requirements through medical examinations from approved panel physicians
Physical presence requirements mandate spending at least 184 days per year in New Zealand during the visa period, substantially higher than other investor categories.
Business operations must commence within 6 months of visa approval, with regular reporting requirements to Immigration New Zealand regarding business performance and job creation outcomes.
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How long is the residency or permit duration under these programs?
New Zealand investor visa programs offer initial resident visa periods ranging from 3 to 5 years, depending on the chosen investment category.
Active Investor Plus Growth Category provides 3-year initial residency, while the Balanced Category extends to 5 years. Both categories allow renewal and progression to permanent residency upon meeting investment maintenance and physical presence requirements.
Investor 1 visas grant 3-year initial periods, while Investor 2 visas provide 4-year terms. These traditional categories remain available alongside the newer Active Investor Plus program.
Entrepreneur Work Visas typically offer 3-year initial periods, with potential extensions based on business performance and continued operational involvement.
Permanent residency becomes available after maintaining investments and meeting minimum physical presence requirements throughout the initial visa period, creating a clear pathway to indefinite residency status.
Does the residency permit extend to family members like a spouse or children?
All New Zealand investor visa programs include comprehensive family inclusion provisions covering spouses, partners, and dependent children.
Spouse and partner inclusion applies automatically to legally married partners or those in genuine and stable de facto relationships of at least 12 months duration. Partners receive the same residency rights and work authorization as the primary applicant.
Dependent children qualify for inclusion up to age 24, provided they remain unmarried and financially dependent on the primary applicant. Children receive full education rights in New Zealand schools and universities.
Family members included in the application receive identical residency status and pathways to permanent residency and citizenship as the primary investor, creating unified family immigration outcomes.
No additional investment requirements apply for family inclusion, making these programs particularly attractive for investors seeking comprehensive family relocation solutions.
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What are the exact steps involved in applying for the program?
The New Zealand investor visa application process follows a structured multi-stage approach requiring careful preparation and documentation.
- Initial eligibility assessment and program selection based on investment capacity and residency goals
- Preparation of comprehensive documentation package including proof of funds, source of wealth evidence, health examinations, and character certificates
- Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI) through Immigration New Zealand's online system with required fees
- Receipt of Invitation to Apply (ITA) following EOI assessment and ranking
- Formal application submission with complete documentation and investment evidence within specified timeframes
- Application assessment by Immigration New Zealand including due diligence on fund sources and investment proposals
- Provisional approval notification with conditions for fund transfer and investment completion
- Fund transfer to New Zealand and completion of approved investments within 12-month deadline
- Final visa grant and residency documentation following investment verification
Each stage involves specific deadlines and requirements that must be met precisely to maintain application validity and progression through the process.
How long does the application process usually take and what documents are needed?
| Application Stage | Timeframe | Key Documents Required |
|---|---|---|
| EOI Submission | 1-2 weeks preparation | Passport, investment proof, business experience |
| ITA Receipt | 2-6 months | Ranking against other applicants |
| Application Assessment | 6-12 months | Health checks, police certificates, fund evidence |
| Provisional Approval | 2-4 weeks | Investment commitment confirmation |
| Final Visa Grant | 1-3 months | Investment transfer proof, compliance evidence |
Recent processing times have improved following 2025 program reforms, with most applications completing within 12-18 months from initial submission to final visa grant.
Critical documents include audited financial statements proving fund sources, bank references, investment advisor reports, health examinations by approved physicians, and police clearances from all countries of residence over the past 10 years.
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Is there a clear pathway from investor residency to permanent residency and then citizenship?
New Zealand provides a straightforward progression from investor residency through permanent residency to citizenship, with clearly defined requirements and timelines.
Permanent residency becomes available immediately upon completing the initial investment period and meeting minimum physical presence requirements. Growth Category investors need 21 days total presence, while Balanced Category requires 105 days over five years.
The pathway requires maintaining investments throughout the commitment period without early withdrawal or substitution, demonstrating continued commitment to New Zealand economic contribution.
Citizenship eligibility begins after holding permanent residency for five years, with additional requirements including basic English proficiency, knowledge of New Zealand history and culture, and continued physical presence of at least 240 days in each of the five years preceding application.
New Zealand citizenship provides complete equality with natural-born citizens, including unrestricted travel rights, voting privileges, and access to all government services and benefits.
What feedback and experiences have real applicants shared about succeeding or failing with this visa route?
Successful applicants consistently highlight New Zealand's investor visa programs as among the world's most flexible and family-friendly golden visa options.
Positive experiences center on the low physical presence requirements, comprehensive family inclusion, and efficient processing times compared to competing programs in Australia, Canada, and European countries.
The absence of language requirements and quotas for most categories receives strong praise from applicants, eliminating common barriers found in other investor immigration programs.
Common challenges include strict source-of-funds documentation requirements, with many applicants underestimating the depth of financial history and evidence required for approval.
Failed applications typically result from inadequate preparation of fund source documentation, failure to meet health or character requirements, or inability to complete investment transfers within the 12-month deadline following provisional approval.
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 investor visa programs offer multiple pathways to residency with flexible requirements and comprehensive family inclusion.
The Active Investor Plus Visa provides the most streamlined route, while commercial property investments offer real estate exposure within approved investment frameworks.
Sources
- Global Residence Index - New Zealand Investor Visa
- Destination NZI - Investor Visa Guide
- Golden Visas - New Zealand Program
- Harvey Law Corporation - Moving to New Zealand
- IMI Daily - New Zealand Entrepreneur Visa
- Henley Global - New Zealand Residence by Investment
- Reuters - New Zealand's Golden Visa Scheme
- Forbes - New Zealand Golden Visa Reforms