If you want to invest at least NZ$10 million in New Zealand, and you would like to apply for New Zealand residence, the Investor Plus category could be the best option for you.

Under this category, you can submit a residence application directly. If you have any questions or need assistance at any stage during the process, you can access the services of a dedicated Client Manager for Investor Plus applicants (details below).

Everyone included in your residence application will have to meet our health and character requirements. During the application process you will need to provide verifiable evidence that you meet the Investor Plus criteria summarised below.

Investment funds and/or assets

The funds and/or assets you nominate in your residence application must be equivalent to at least NZ$10 million. You will have to provide evidence to show that these funds and/or assets:

• are owned by you or jointly by you, your partner and/or dependent children
• are unencumbered, ie not subject to any mortgage, lien, charge and/or encumbrance (whether equitable or otherwise) or any other creditor claims
• have been earned or acquired legally
• are transferable through the banking system, or a foreign exchange company that uses the banking system.

When we have processed your application and given you approval in principle you will need to provide verifiable documents to show that the funds you transfer to New Zealand came from the funds and/or assets that you nominated. You will need to invest a minimum of NZ$10 million in acceptable investments in New Zealand.

You cannot nominate investment funds or assets you intend to bring to New Zealand for your personal use – for example a personal residence, car, or boat.

We may not accept funds transferred through a foreign exchange company using the banking system if you cannot provide satisfactory evidence of the following:

• the nominated investment funds have been transferred to the foreign exchange company directly from your bank account(s), and
• the nominated investment funds have not been transferred through the foreign exchange company contrary to the laws of New Zealand, and
• nominated investment funds transferred are traceable, and 
• cash transactions were not made, and 
• the foreign exchange company is not suspected of, or proven to have committed fraudulent activity or financial impropriety in any country it operates from or in.
  

After residence is approved

If your residence application is approved in principle, you (the principal applicant) will have 12 months to transfer your nominated investment funds and invest them in an acceptable investment in New Zealand, though you can apply to have this timeframe extended. You can also apply for a work visa so you can travel to New Zealand to look into investment opportunities. You will need to retain your investment funds in acceptable investments for three years. You will have to spend at least 44 days in New Zealand each year in years two and three of your three-year investment period. See more about after residence is granted.

Apply

If you think you meet the requirements, find out how to apply. Or, see the frequently asked questions.

Client Manager

Contact the Client Manager for Investor Plus applicants at Business Migration Branch by emailing investors@dol.govt.nz.