Common topic
Investor category
13 May 2025
The Active Investor Plus Visa category incentivises direct investment and encourages greater economic benefit to New Zealand.
The Active Investor Plus Visa category is intended to attract investors who take an active role in helping companies access global knowledge networks, capital, and markets. The visa is designed to generate higher business productivity and job growth.
Between September 2022 and 31 March 2025, under the previous visa settings Immigration New Zealand (INZ) have received 115 applications for 362 applicants. An application may have multiple applicants including partners and dependent children.
Of the 115 applications received, 46 applications had been approved a resident visa, 13 were withdrawn by the applicant and 33 were granted approval in principle.
New visa settings launched 1 April 2025
On 1 April 2025, changes were made to simplify the investment process, including the introduction of 2 investment categories.
As of 30 April 2025, INZ has received 71 applications under the new settings for 230 applicants, 15 in the Balanced category and 56 in the Growth category.
Of the 71 applications received, 32 applications are from applicants transitioning an existing application to the new settings and 39 applications are from first-time applicants.
These applications amount to a total minimum investment of $430 million.
- Thirteen applications have been approved in principle, 2 in the Balanced category and 11 in the Growth category.
- Fifty-eight applications are still being assessed.
The average time for an application under the new settings to be approved in principle is 7 working days.
| Nationality | Applications received | Number of people |
|---|---|---|
| China | 10 | 39 |
| Czech Republic | 1 | 7 |
| Germany | 5 | 23 |
| Hong Kong | 9 | 22 |
| Japan | 1 | 3 |
| Singapore | 3 | 9 |
| South Korea | 1 | 4 |
| Spain | 1 | 6 |
| Switzerland | 1 | 4 |
| Taiwan | 1 | 2 |
| United States of America | 38 | 111 |
| Total | 71 | 230 |
Changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa
Changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa included the introduction of 2 investment categories:
- Growth category: focuses on higher-risk investments, including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. It will require a minimum investment of $5 million for a minimum period of 3 years.
- Balanced category: focuses on mixed investments, with the ability to choose ones that are lower risk. There will be a minimum investment of $10 million over 5 years.
Other changes included:
- reducing the minimum investment amount from $15 million (or weighted equivalent) to $5 million for Growth and $10 million for Balanced category investors
- broadening the scope of acceptable investments to include bond and property-type investments for Balanced category investors
- removing the English language requirement
- fewer immigration requirements, for migrants who choose more active investments, such as reducing the time required to be spent in New Zealand.
Read more information on the changes, and what options are available for current Active Investor Plus Visa applicants.
Investor category update provides attractive investment options
Applications under the Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas are no longer accepted. All applications currently in progress with INZ will continue to be processed.