New Zealand Active Investor Plus visa category
What are investment options in New Zealand?
The Active Investor Plus visa, also known as 'Golden visa', is for those looking to gain residence by investing into a New Zealand business or other ‘acceptable investment’.
A gold pathway to New Zealand
The investor visa system in New Zealand is very flexible and made of two options called the Growth and Balanced categories. The Growth category requires a NZD $5 million investment over 3 years, while the Balanced category requires NZD $10 million over 5 years and allows investments in bonds and property that contribute to housing or infrastructure improvements.
Active investors have a few additional requirements: Growth category investors must spend at least 21 days in New Zealand, while Balanced category investors need to spend 105 days, with the option for reduced days if higher investments are made. There is no English language requirement, and a Dependent Child Resident Visa has been introduced to help investors' children gain residency. These changes, effective April 2025, aim to attract more international investors.
Investment specialists
New Zealand Shores has developed a reputation for investment visas as specialists in this field. Investing a large amount of money into a new country requires continual support and expert advice. New Zealand Shores and our partner bank ASB work with you to streamline the process making it a pleasant and straight forward process. New Zealand Shores also work alongside specialist financial advisors, brokers and real estate agents to offer you a complete financial service.
What happens after residence is approved?
Under this visa category, the visa applicant will be required to keep investment funds in an acceptable investment for three to five years. They will also need to spend a minimum amount of time in New Zealand over the investment period, which depends on the type and amount of investment. Once the conditions have been met for the required amount of time, the applicant and their family may apply for Permanent Residency and do with their investments as they see fit.
Active Investor Plus visa - April 2025 updated rules
| Minimum Investment amount | Acceptable investments | Time to transfer and invest | Section 49 conditions | Section 49 investment retention checkpoints | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growth category | NZ $5 million | NZTE determines investments are acceptable:
|
6 months from the date of Approval in Principle, with the option to apply for a one 6 month extension (12 months total) |
|
|
| Balanced category | NZ $10 million | INZ determines investments are acceptable
Growth category acceptable investments: |
6 months from the date of Approval in Principle, with the option to apply for a one 6 month extension (12 months total) |
|
|
English requirements
Under this investment visa category, there is no requirement to demonstrate any type of English proficiency.
Are you eligible for an Investor Visa? Take our eligibility assessment now!Are you eligible for an investor visa
Invest and retire in New Zealand
As an alternative to the Active Investor Plus visa, if you wish to come to New Zealand during retirement, you may consider the Temporary Retirement Visa or the Parent Retirement (residence) category (if you wish to live permanently in New Zealand).
Take our eligibility assessment
Find out if you can migrate to New Zealand by doing business
