Active Investor Plus Visa
Background: Following the reform of New Zealand’s investor immigration policy, as of July 27, 2022, the immigration authority no longer accepts applications for Investor Visa Categories 1 and 2. These two categories of investor immigration visas have been discontinued. Presently, New Zealand has introduced a new category called the Active Investor Plus Visa. This category’s policy details were officially announced on September 19, 2022, and have been formally implemented, allowing applicants to commence the submission of their applications.
Advantages: Among numerous developed countries, New Zealand stands out by not imposing capital gains tax and not levying stamp duties or property transfer taxes on real estate transactions. For prospective investor immigrants, upon receiving preliminary approval, they will directly obtain a resident visa, affording them rights akin to those held by local residents, such as access to public healthcare and the right to vote in elections. Furthermore, upon completion of the investment period, eligible individuals stand a chance to acquire the globally unique permanent resident return visa, enabling applicants to reside indefinitely in New Zealand without the constraints of immigration monitoring, enjoying unrestricted travel to and from the country.
Requirements:
| Age | No requirement |
| Business experience | No requirement |
| English language | IELTS 5.0 or equivalent; or have an English-speaking background / competent user of English for other reasons |
| Investment funds | NZD $15 million or the weighted equivalent in acceptable investments in New Zealand for 48 months You must: have NZD $7.5 million or the weighted equivalent invested within the first 18 months of the investment periodhave a further NZD $7.5 million or the weighted equivalent invested within the first 36 months of the investment periodhave the full NZD $15 million or weighted equivalent invested until the end of the 48-month period, andretain any investments you have made throughout the 48-month investment period. You must provide evidence of the funds invested at the end of the first 18 months and the third and fourth years you are in New Zealand. |
| Source of funds | Must provide evidence you have earned or acquired funds lawfully |
| Transfer of funds | Within 6 months from that date of approval in in principleTransfer your investment funds directly from your personal bank account or from one of the following third parties to New Zealand through the banking system, a foreign exchange company or a money transfer business: a solicitor trust account (where the solicitor is acting on your behalf)a pension scheme in your name, oran investment portfolio account in your name |
| Minimum time in New Zealand for | Principal Applicant must spend at least 117 days in New Zealand as a holder of a resident visa during the 4-year investment period |
| Family Member | Can include your partner, and dependent children aged 24 and under |
| Family member’s English language | No requirement |
| Health and character | Must meet health and character requirements. |
| Fit and proper person | Principal applicant must meet fit and proper person requirements |
Acceptable investment An investment of the funds that:
- Is not for the personal use of the applicant,
- Is invested in New Zealand in New Zealand currency, and
- Is invested in either one of more of the following
- Listed equities,
- Philanthropy,
- Managed funds, or
- Direct investments
| Investment type | Weighting |
| Listed equities Maximum: NZD $7.5 million | X1 Each $1 invested will be accorded the value of $1 |
| Philanthropy Maximum: NZD $7.5 million | X1 Each $1 invested will be accorded the value of $1 |
| Managed funds (such as private equity or venture capital funds) No Maximum | X2 Each $1 invested will be accorded the value of $2 |
| Direct investment into private business No Maximum | X3 Each $1 invested will be accorded the value of $3 |
Listed equities Either directly or through an exchange traded fund or managed fund, managed by someone licensed by the Financial Markets Authority to provide that service, in the equities of a New Zealand resident entity that:
- are listed by a market operator licensed by the Financial Markets Authority; or
- are offered through a crowdfunding provider licensed by the Financial Markets Authority; and
- is not engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership, leasing, management, and operation of property, except if below applies.
Equities in entities engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership, leasing, management and operation of property assets, which are held through an exchange traded fund or managed fund, may be counted towards the principal applicant’s investment in listed equities provided they comprise no more than 20 percent of the value of the total assets held by the fund.
Managed Funds the investment must be in either:
- the managed investment products issued by a managed investment scheme which is on the acceptable managed fund list maintained by NZTE; or
- a discretionary investment management service which is on the acceptable managed fund list, maintained by NZTE; and
there must be:
- a legally binding, non-revocable contract made under New Zealand law under which the principal applicant has agreed to acquire managed investment products in an acceptable managed investment scheme; or
- a legally binding client agreement and investment authority made under New Zealand law under which the principal applicant has agreed to receive a discretionary investment management service.
Direct Investments
- listed equities that are considered an acceptable investment as set by Instructions, as a wholesale investor; or
- an equity security in an investee entity; or
- another financial product that will be converted, or is or may become convertible, into an equity security in an investee entity; and
NZTE must confirm that either the:
- investment by the principal applicant in acceptable listed equities as a wholesale investor was pre-approved by NZTE prior to funds being invested; or
- investee entity is an acceptable direct investment.
If after the funds have been invested and the investee entity is no longer a New Zealand resident entity, the investment remains an acceptable investment.
Property Property is not included as an acceptable investment, however there may be some investment options in the property sector that are promoted by NZTE. We can contact NZTE if you are interested.
Approval in Principle After your application has been approved in principle, you can apply for a work visa for 12 months to come to New Zealand and arrange the transfer and investment of your funds. If your partner wants to come with you, they will need to apply for their own visitor visa. Your dependent children can apply for student visas. After the application has been approved in principle, you have 6 months to transfer and invest nominated funds into acceptable investments with an initial minimum amount as follows:
| Investment type | Minimum initial investment |
| Direct Investments | NZD $100,000 |
| Managed funds | NZD $500,000 |
| Listed equities/Philanthropy | NZD $1 million |
And invest the remainder of nominated funds into the following holding investments and/or acceptable investments:
- bonds issued by the New Zealand government or local authorities; or
- term deposits with New Zealand registered banks; or
- deposits in a New Zealand bank account
Then, you will be granted Resident visas subject to conditions under section 49(1) and you and your family must travel to New Zealand within 12 months. Resident visa may be granted with multiple entry travel conditions for five years from your first day in New Zealand.
Managing your Acceptable Investments
- Within the first 18 months of the 48-month investment period you must invest NZD $7.5 million or the weighted equivalent into acceptable investments.
- Within 36 months of the 48-month investment period you must invest the full NZD $15 million or weighted into acceptable investments.
- You must retain the total $15 million or weighted equivalent in acceptable investments for the final 12 months of the 48-month of the investment period.
- You must retain any investments you have made throughout the 48-month investment period.
You and your family will be granted a permanent resident visa if you as principal applicant has fulfilled the minimum time (117 days) spend in New Zealand and fulfilled the investment requirement of the 48-month investment period.