New Zealand's "Golden Visa" is officially known as the Active Investor Plus Visa. There have been significant changes to the program, which came into effect on April 1, 2025. These changes aim to attract more high-value investors and simplify the application process.
Here's a summary of the latest information, with evidence of where the information was found:
Key Changes and Requirements (as of April 1, 2025):
Investment Categories: The previous Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories have been replaced with two simplified categories:
Growth category: Requires a minimum investment of NZD $5 million for a minimum period of 3 years. This category focuses on higher-risk investments, including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses.
Balanced category: Requires a minimum investment of NZD $10 million over 5 years. This category offers a broader range of investment options, including bonds and property investments (specifically new residential developments that increase housing stock, and new or existing commercial/industrial developments that add value, such as earthquake strengthening). Growth category investments can also be included.
Sources:
Immigration New Zealand: "Active Investor Plus Visa overview" (Updated July 23, 2025) - https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/investor-category/
Fragomen: "New Zealand: Rules on Investor Visa Relaxed" (July 21, 2025) - https://www.fragomen.com/insights/new-zealand-rules-on-investor-visa-relaxed.html
NZTE (Invest New Zealand): "About Active Investor Plus" - https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/investor-migrants
English Language Requirement: The English language requirement for applicants has been removed.
Evidence:
Immigration New Zealand: "Active Investor Plus Visa overview" (Updated July 23, 2025) - https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/investor-category/
Fragomen: "New Zealand: Rules on Investor Visa Relaxed" (July 21, 2025) - https://www.fragomen.com/insights/new-zealand-rules-on-investor-visa-relaxed.html
Time Spent in New Zealand:
Growth category: Requires spending 21 days in New Zealand over the three-year investment term.
Balanced category: Requires spending 105 days in New Zealand over the five-year investment term. There are options to reduce this time with higher investments (e.g., 91 days for NZD $11M, 77 days for NZD $12M, 63 days for NZD $13M).
Sources:
Immigration New Zealand: "Investor category update provides attractive investment options" (June 13, 2025) - https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/investor-category-update-provides-attractive-investment-options/
NZTE (Invest New Zealand): "About Active Investor Plus" - https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/investor-migrants
Investment Timeline: All investments must be completed within 6 months of the date of approval in principle. A one-off 6-month extension may be granted with evidence of efforts to transfer and invest funds.
Evidence:
Immigration New Zealand: "Investor category update provides attractive investment options" (June 13, 2025) - https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/investor-category-update-provides-attractive-investment-options/
Family Inclusion: Applicants can include their partner and dependent children under the age of 24 in their application.
Evidence:
Immigration New Zealand: "Active Investor Plus Visa" - https://immigration.govt.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa
NZTE (Invest New Zealand): "About Active Investor Plus" - https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/investor-migrants
No Cap on Visas: There is no limit on the number of Active Investor Plus visas that can be approved each year.
Evidence:
NZIL (New Zealand Immigration Law): "Active Investor Plus Visa | New Zealand Immigration Law" - https://www.nzil.co.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa
NZTE (Invest New Zealand): "Frequently asked questions about the Active Investor Plus visa" - https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-active-investor-plus-visa
Application Process (General Steps):
Submit Residence Application (online): This includes providing documents like passport copies, passport photos, and evidence of nominated funds.
Receive Approval in Principle: If approved, you have 6 months to make your initial investment. You can apply for a work visa to facilitate this.
Make Your Investment: Transfer funds and invest in acceptable categories.
Receive Residence Permit: Once investments are confirmed and other conditions met.
Evidence:
Nomads Embassy: "New Zealand Golden Visa: Apply in 4 Steps [2025]" - https://nomadsembassy.com/new-zealand-golden-visa/
Immigration New Zealand: "Active Investor Plus Visa" - https://immigration.govt.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa
Other Important Information:
Health and Character Requirements: All applicants must meet good health and character requirements, including providing police certificates and undergoing medical examinations.
Source of Funds: You must prove that your investment funds were lawfully obtained and can be easily transferred to New Zealand.
Pathway to Citizenship: The Active Investor Plus Visa is a direct pathway to residency, and after holding the visa for the required investment period, you can apply for permanent residency. Permanent residency is not required for citizenship, but generally, you can apply after living in New Zealand for five years as a resident, subject to other conditions.
Sources:
Immigration New Zealand: "Active Investor Plus Visa" - https://immigration.govt.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa
The Economic Times: "Applying for Permanent Residency in New Zealand? Here's what to know" (July 30, 2025) - https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/applying-for-permanent-residency-in-new-zealand-heres-what-to-know/articleshow/122990106.cms
Latest News/Developments:
Surge in Applications: Since the rule changes on April 1, 2025, there has been a significant increase in applications for the Active Investor Plus visa. As of July 20, 2025, Immigration New Zealand had received 236 applications under the new settings, representing 766 people, with 164 of these being new applications. This represents a potential total minimum investment of NZD $1.430 billion.
US Investors Leading: Nearly half of the new applicants are from the United States, followed by China and Hong Kong.
Economic Impact: The New Zealand government is actively promoting the visa to attract high-net-worth individuals and stimulate economic growth, bringing not only capital but also skills and experience.
Evidence:
The Straits Times: "New Zealand's 'golden visa' scheme lures US investors" (June 23, 2025) - https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/new-zealands-golden-visa-scheme-lures-us-investors
The Guardian: "Rich Americans flock to apply for New Zealand's 'golden visas' after rules relaxed" (June 23, 2025) - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/23/americans-new-zealand-golden-visas-trump
RNZ News: "Surge in 'golden visa' applications and interest" (April 14, 2025) - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558115/surge-in-golden-visa-applications-and-interest
Immigration New Zealand: "Active Investor Plus Visa overview" (Updated July 23, 2025) - https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/investor-category/
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult the official Immigration New Zealand website.