If you have submitted an application for residence under the Active Investor Migrant Policy, and we have approved it in principle, we can issue residence visas or grant residence permits to you and your family members included in your application when you have:
- shown us that your investment funds have been transferred to New Zealand and placed in acceptable investment(s)
- given us a New Zealand address where we can contact you by mail after you arrive
- paid any applicable migrant levy
- paid any applicable ESOL training tuition fee(s) if any of your family who are aged 16 and over included in your application have not satisfied the English language requirements. This does not apply to the Global Investor category.
If you do not meet these requirements your application will be declined.
Transfer of funds process
When your application has been approved in principle you will have 12 months to transfer and invest your total investment funds in New Zealand. If you are not able to do this you may, within the 12 month period, request up to a further 12 months.
Once you have transferred your investment funds to New Zealand, you will need to provide us with evidence showing that the funds:
- are those you initially nominated in your application and/or Expression of Interest, and/or are funds that arose from the sale of your nominated assets, or
- (Professional or Global Investor categories only) as agreed to by us, are secured against the nominated assets in your residence application (see borrowed funds, below).
The funds must have been transferred through the banking system directly from your bank account(s) to New Zealand. You must include telegraphic transfer documentation and bank statements showing the transfer(s). Nominated funds held in a country other than the country in which they were earned or acquired must have been originally transferred through the banking system from that country.
We may request other information to show that the above requirements have been met.
Borrowed funds
If you have been approved in principle under the Professional or Global Investor categories (but not the General (Active) Investor category) you may be able to borrow against your nominated assets and transfer the borrowed funds to New Zealand as your investment funds. To do this you need to satisfy us that:
- you own net assets equal or greater in value to the required investment amount, and
- the borrowed investment funds are from a bank or commercial lending institution acceptable to us and are secured against your nominated assets, and
- it is not economically viable or practical to liquidate the nominated assets, eg sell a business.
What evidence is required for an acceptable investment?
You need to place your funds in an acceptable investment in New Zealand and provide evidence of your investment(s). We need you to provide us with:
- the full name of the investor
- the amount invested in New Zealand dollars
- the date the investment was made
- the type of investment (in the case of shares in companies, the names of the companies invested in and the number of shares purchased must be listed)
- documentary evidence of the investment
- a letter from a reliable independent professional (for example, a solicitor or chartered accountant), confirming that the funds have been invested.
What evidence is required for an active investment?
If you have made active investment(s) you need to provide additional evidence including confirmation from a reliable independent professional (for example, a solicitor or chartered accountant).
For existing businesses, you need to provide:
- the date the shareholding in the business was purchased
- a full valuation of the business
- documentary evidence that demonstrates the operation of the business (eg, annual accounts)
- the full name(s) of the business owner(s).
For new businesses, you need to provide:
- the date the business was established
- documentation demonstrating the establishment of the business
- the full name(s) of the business owner(s).
If you have purchased a shareholding in, or have established more than, one business you should provide this information for each of the businesses.
In some situations we may require other evidence.
What if I need to spend time in New Zealand to transfer my funds and arrange the investment of my funds?
After approval in principle, you may apply for a multiple-entry work visa or work permit to allow you to arrange the transfer to, and investment of, funds in New Zealand. The work visa or permit will be valid for 12 months, but you may apply for a further period of up to 12 months if you need more time.
If your partner and dependent children wish to accompany you, they may apply for visitor or student visas and/or permits valid for the same period. Please note that a student permit will only be granted or a student visa issued if the standard student policy requirements are met.
How long will my residence visa be valid for?
When you have met the above requirements, you and your family members included in your application will receive a residence visa (if you are outside New Zealand) or residence permit (if you are in New Zealand), and a returning resident’s visa. Residence visas will be current for 12 months from the date of issue – you and your family must arrive in New Zealand within that period. If you do not arrive, your application will lapse.
Your returning resident’s visa will be initially valid for two years from the date you first enter New Zealand. This will allow you to travel to and from New Zealand during the two year period.
Section 18A requirements
Your residence visas and/or permits will be issued or granted subject to requirements under section 18A of the Immigration Act 1987. These are requirements that you must meet after you have your residence permit. See the Section 18A requirements.