Indefinite Stay
The visa can allow indefinite stay in New Zealand, subject to satisfying investment, presence, health, character, and resident visa conditions.
WIMA Residence Program Brief
New Zealand Residence by Investment
A structured overview of the Active Investor Plus Visa, New Zealand's current investment residence pathway for qualified investors making acceptable investments in the country.
Visa Route
Active Investor Plus
Growth Minimum
NZD 5,000,000
Balanced Minimum
NZD 10,000,000
Residence Requirement
21 / 105 days
Permanent Residence
After 3 or 5 years
Program Overview
New Zealand residence by investment is now built around acceptable investment categories.
The Active Investor Plus Visa allows approved investors to live, work, and invest in New Zealand. Applicants must nominate investment funds, transfer and place funds into acceptable investments, and meet the relevant time-in-country conditions.
Family Inclusion
The application can include a partner and dependent children aged 24 and younger, provided relationship and dependency evidence is accepted.
Permanent Residence Path
Investors may apply for permanent residence after three years under the Growth category or five years under the Balanced category, if all conditions are met.
Investment Categories
Two categories, different capital thresholds and residence obligations.
The Growth category is designed around higher-risk investments with a lower capital threshold and shorter investment period. The Balanced category permits a broader range of investment types but requires a higher capital commitment and longer holding period.
NZD 5 million over 3 years
The Growth category requires at least NZD 5 million in acceptable investments held for at least 36 months.
- Acceptable investment types include direct investments and managed funds.
- Philanthropy can be counted up to 20% of the total amount invested.
- The investor must spend at least 21 days in New Zealand during the investment period.
NZD 10 million over 5 years
The Balanced category requires at least NZD 10 million in acceptable investments held for at least 60 months.
- Eligible categories include direct investments, managed funds, listed equities, bonds, property developments, and philanthropy.
- The investor must generally spend at least 105 days in New Zealand over five years.
- The presence requirement may be reduced where the investor makes a higher qualifying investment.
Residence Benefits
A long-term residence route with low physical presence requirements.
Benefits should be presented as immigration and settlement outcomes, not guaranteed investment returns, tax outcomes, or citizenship approval.
Flexible Residence
The program allows approved investors to live, work, and study in New Zealand while maintaining the required investment and presence obligations.
Domestic Study Access
Resident visa holders can study in New Zealand, and included children can access New Zealand education subject to visa conditions.
Citizenship Planning
Citizenship may be considered after five years of residence, provided statutory presence, character, language, and intention requirements are satisfied.
Requirements
A qualifying investor file must prove identity, admissibility, funds, and acceptable investment compliance.
The investment amount alone is not sufficient. The file must show that nominated funds are lawful, transferable, and invested into acceptable New Zealand investment categories.
| Investment Capital | At least NZD 5 million under the Growth category or at least NZD 10 million under the Balanced category must be invested in acceptable investments in New Zealand. |
|---|---|
| Investment Holding Period | Growth investments must be held for at least 36 months. Balanced investments must be held for at least 60 months. |
| Physical Presence | Growth requires at least 21 days in New Zealand during the three-year period. Balanced generally requires at least 105 days over five years, with possible reductions for higher investment. |
| Health and Character | Applicants must be in good health and of good character. Medical examinations, chest X-rays, and police certificates may be required. |
| Family Evidence | A partner must show a genuine and stable relationship, including evidence of living together for at least 12 months. Dependent children must meet dependency requirements, including financial reliance evidence where aged 21 to 24. |
| Source of Funds | Evidence should demonstrate how the nominated funds were earned or acquired, that they are lawful, and that they can be transferred and invested in New Zealand. |
| Document Language | Documents not in English must be supported by English translations that meet the applicable evidence standards. |
Procedure
A staged process from eligibility screening to permanent residence.
A professional file should confirm investment category fit before any investment is made, because not every New Zealand investment opportunity will qualify for the visa.
- Confirm investor profile, family composition, source-of-funds position, and preferred investment category.
- Identify acceptable investment options and collect supporting evidence for nominated funds.
- Submit the resident visa application with identity, family, health, character, funds, and investment documentation.
- After approval in principle, arrange fund transfer and investment placement in New Zealand within the required period.
- Maintain acceptable investments for 36 months under Growth or 60 months under Balanced.
- Meet the applicable physical presence condition during the investment period.
- Apply for permanent residence after the required period, if all investment and presence conditions are satisfied.
Investment opportunities should be reviewed before commitment. Acceptance for immigration purposes does not guarantee commercial performance or liquidity.
Professional Note
New Zealand investor residence advice should remain precise, current, and evidence-led.
WIMA communications should separate visa approval, investment acceptance, permanent residence, and citizenship. These are related outcomes, but each has its own evidentiary and legal standards.
Investment Eligibility
Check whether a proposed investment is acceptable for the selected category before presenting it as part of a residence strategy.
Funds and Family
Prepare source-of-funds, transferability, relationship, dependency, health, and character evidence before filing.
Conditions and Risk
Explain investment holding periods, physical presence requirements, liquidity limits, and the separate criteria for permanent residence and citizenship.