Announcement
Investor category update provides attractive investment options
01 April 2025
Changes are being made to the Active Investor Plus Visa to help New Zealand encourage growth and make investing in New Zealand more attractive.
From 1 April 2025, changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa include the following.
New investment categories
Two simplified investment categories will be introduced — Growth and Balanced. A minimum investment amount of NZD $5 million will be required for Growth category investors over a 3-year investment term. A minimum investment amount of NZD $10 million will be required for Balanced category investors over a 5-year investment term.
Increasing the scope of acceptable investments
The scope of acceptable investments for Balanced category will be broadened to include bonds and property investments. Property investments will be limited to new residential developments that increase the housing stock in New Zealand and new or existing commercial or industrial developments which add value, such as earthquake strengthening. Investments from the Growth category can be included as part of the Balanced category. Equities and philanthropy will continue to be acceptable investments.
QDII or QDLP schemes are not considered acceptable methods of transfer to meet immigration requirements under the Active Investor Plus visa.
While QDII schemes were previously accepted under the former Investor 1 and 2 visa categories, and are accepted under the Parent Retirement category, it is important to note that these visas each have distinct objectives that account for differences in visa settings and approach to visa processing.
Enhanced immigration requirements for migrants who choose more active investments
If you apply under the Growth category, you are required to spend 21 days in New Zealand over the investment term.
If you apply under the Balanced category, you must spend 105 days in New Zealand over the investment term. However you are eligible for a reduction of time spent in New Zealand if you invest a certain amount. You must spend:
- 91 days in New Zealand if your total investment is at least NZD $11 million
- 77 days in New Zealand if your total investment is at least NZD $12 million, or
- 63 days in New Zealand if your total investment is at least NZD $13 million.
The additional funds above NZD $10 million must be nominated before the application is approved in principle and must then be placed in acceptable direct investments or managed funds under the Growth category.
Changes to investment timeframes
The time Growth and Balanced category applicants have to transfer funds and to make their investments in New Zealand will be reduced. Under both categories all investments must be completed within 6 months of the date of approval in principle. However, applicants may request a one-off 6-month extension if they can provide evidence they have tried and been unable to transfer and invest their funds.
Changing investment categories
Applicants who applied under the Balanced category can request to change to the Growth category, and vice versa. Applicants may only change category once.
English language requirements removed
The English language requirements introduced in 2022 have been removed.
Changes to simplify investment process
Additionally, the following changes have been made to simplify the investment process:
- Caps on investments will be removed.
- Investments must now be made in full to be granted a resident visa.
- Introduction of “on-call investments” for funds which the applicant has committed to placing in managed funds. These can be placed in acceptable investments (bonds, term deposits, listed equities, banks accounts (maximum of 6 months for funds placed in term deposits and bank accounts)) until they are “called on” by the managed fund.
- Growth category applicants will, in limited circumstances, be able to re-invest returned capital into balanced category investments if it is less than NZD $1 million.
Newborn children of investors will also qualify for a Dependent Child Resident Visa. After they have held a Dependent Child Resident Visa for two years, they can then be included in their parent’s application for a Permanent Resident Visa.
All applicants must still meet immigration health and character requirements.
These changes help attract high value investment, simplify settings, and incentivise people to invest in ‘active’ investment classes.
They reflect feedback from investors and industry stakeholders and provide a wider range of investment options that will attract new investors to our shores. They also allow investors to become familiar with New Zealand’s investment community and gain the confidence to undertake more active investments in the future.
These changes will apply to all Active Investor Plus applications from 1 April 2025.
Applications that include all the required information will be prioritised. Even if your application is allocated first, it does not necessarily mean it will be decided in that order. The quality and completeness of any application has a direct impact on how long it takes for the application to be decided.
Information for new applicants
Applicants or their representatives can apply now using the Active Investor Plus application form.
You will be asked if you want to apply for the Balanced or Growth category and must provide the relevant documentation for that category.
If you have already applied for an Active Investor Plus Visa
If you have an active application for an Active Investor Plus Visa that you made before 1 April 2025, and you have not been granted residence yet, you will be able to transition to the new visa settings.
We will contact current applicants in mid-March to provide further information on transitioning to the new settings.
Get in touch with us, your Licensed Immigration Adviser or someone else who is able to provide immigration advice such as a New Zealand lawyer, to discuss your circumstances and visa options.
You will have until 31 May 2025 to apply if you want to transition to the new settings. You can do this by getting in touch with us and requesting to withdraw your current application and confirming you wish to reapply under the new settings.
You will then be sent a link to lodge a new application from 1 April 2025 (and before 1 June 2025).
Fees to transition your application will be waived, however you may be required to provide further documentation.
If you do not want to transition, you should also let us know so that your application can be processed under the previous settings.
It is important you let us know your decision as soon as possible to avoid any delays processing your application.
Visas will be granted in accordance with the requirements that were in effect at the time you applied.
You will be able to invest in all available acceptable direct investments approved by NZTE.
More information on transitioning your application has been emailed to eligible existing applicants
If you have applied under Investor 1 and 2
Only current Active Investor Plus applicants can transition to the new settings without the need to pay new fees.
If you are currently applying under Investor 1 & 2 and have not yet been granted residence, you will need to reapply using the new application form and meet requirements under the new visa settings.
You will be able to use your initially nominated funds in your new application, however if the amount required under new settings is more than the threshold for the Active Investor Plus category you are applying under, you will need to nominate more money to meet this. For example, if you were granted residence under Investor 2 and have invested $3 million, you may be required to nominate a further $2 million to apply under the Growth Category, or a further $7 million to apply under the Balanced Category.
If your application is approved, your investment period will re-start from the date your new residence visa is approved.
Application fees will apply and you will need to submit new documentation.
If you have already been granted residence
If you already have a resident visa under Active Investor Plus or Investor 1 and 2, you can make a second application for residence under the new settings.
If you choose to make a second application under the new settings, we recommend seeking immigration advice to ensure you meet the requirements.
You will need to pay a fee and meet all requirements for the new visa on the date that you apply. This includes providing updated documentation.
You can nominate the funds that you have transferred and invested as part of your original application, but only if they meet the requirements of the new visa.
While you have your current resident visa you will need to continue to meet your visa conditions until a decision is made on your second application. As advised when your resident visa was granted, failure to meet the conditions of your visa (for example, if you move your investments into an asset class which was unacceptable under the old policy but is acceptable under the new policy) may result in you becoming liable for deportation.
If your second application is approved, your original resident visa will be cancelled, and the conditions on that visa will no longer apply. The investment and time in New Zealand periods will also restart.
You can include new partners in your second application if they meet our partnership requirements.
Contact us
More information on the improved Active Investor Plus Visa is available on the Beehive website.