The Active Investor Plus visa category opened on 19 September 2022 and replaced the Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories. Eligibility criteria includes a minimum $5 million investment if it is a direct investment. It encourages greater economic benefit to New Zealand companies by capping passive investment in listed equities to 50% and excluding bonds and property.

Applications under the Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas are no longer be accepted. All applications in the current pipeline are continuing to be processed.

The Active Investor Plus visa category incentivises direct investment in New Zealand firms through a weighting system. Direct investments receive a 3× weighting per dollar invested. This system has a minimum investment threshold of $15 million NZD or weighted equivalent. This means that applicants who want to make acceptable direct investments will be eligible with $5 million NZD.

This system sets lower weightings for indirect investments, such as private equity or venture capital funds (2×) and listed equities and philanthropy (1×). It also limits the scope for indirect investment by capping investment in listed equities to 50% of total investments and excludes bonds and property from being eligible asset classes.

This system improves flexibility for investors by allowing them to invest over a 3-year period. It allows investors to maintain their investments up to the end of a fourth year. Investor migrants need to spend at least 117 days in New Zealand over the 4-year investment period.

The new system includes an English language requirement of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 5.0. This will ensure investors are able to share their knowledge and skills and engage in the New Zealand investment network.

Active Investor Plus Visa