Business & investor visas pathways.
Understand how investment can support a move to New Zealand. The Active Investor Plus Visa offers two categories with different capital requirements, investment choices and residence commitments.
The Active Investor Plus Visa allows eligible investors and their families to live, work and study in New Zealand through qualifying investment. It is a resident visa, with investment and other conditions that continue after approval.
Growth and Balanced offer different approaches. The choice depends on the capital you can commit, the investments you are comfortable with and your plans for spending time in New Zealand.
You must also meet health, character and fit and proper person requirements, and demonstrate that your investment funds were lawfully acquired.
Two categories, one important decision.
Growth
NZD$5.0 Million
Minimum qualifying investment.
Three years
Investment Period
21 days in total
Time in New Zealand
Growth focuses on qualifying direct investments in New Zealand businesses and acceptable managed funds. Eligible philanthropy can make up to 20% of the total investment.
These investments can carry higher risk and may be difficult to sell quickly. Their commercial terms may require you to remain invested beyond the three-year visa commitment.
When weighing this option: consider the investment structure and access to your capital alongside the lower minimum investment and shorter stay requirement.
Balanced
NZD$10.0 Million
Minimum qualifying investment.
Investment Period
Five years
105 days in total
Time in New Zealand
Balanced offers a wider range of qualifying investments, including bonds, listed equities, property development, direct investments, managed funds and philanthropy.
This creates more scope to choose an investment mix that reflects your circumstances. Each investment still needs to qualify; the category name does not guarantee returns or protect against loss.
When weighing this option: consider the broader investment choices alongside the higher capital threshold and five-year commitment.
Not sure which pathway fits?
Try our online assessment form, which will give us all the information we need to determine the most suitable option for your circumstances.
It starts with a clear plan for your funds and timing.
The investment is only part of the application. A clear record of your funds and a carefully planned transfer can be just as important as choosing the category.
We help you organise the immigration evidence and understand the decisions, deadlines and continuing conditions before you commit.
Ownership and lawful earnings
You need to show that you own the nominated funds or assets and explain how they were lawfully earned or acquired. A current bank balance alone may not tell the full story.
Depending on the source, the evidence may include business accounts, tax records, property sale documents or inheritance records, connected by a clear financial history.
Transfers and investment timing
The funds invested must be traceable to the money or assets nominated in your application. The transfer must follow a permitted route through the banking system.
Plan this before moving money, particularly if your assets are held across several countries, accounts or ownership structures.
Your family and the years ahead
Review your partner’s and children’s eligibility alongside your own application. Then plan the investment period, time in New Zealand and reporting dates around your family’s longer-term intentions.
Investment suitability, tax and wider legal arrangements also deserve attention alongside the immigration requirements.
Plan & prepare
Choose the category, identify the funds or assets to nominate and prepare evidence of ownership and lawful source. Confirm personal and family eligibility before the application is submitted.
Transfer & invest
After approval in principle, you normally have six months to transfer and invest the nominated funds. You must provide the required evidence before the resident visa can be granted. An extension is subject to INZ’s criteria.
Manage compliance
Keep qualifying investments in place, meet the required time in New Zealand and complete reporting obligations. Investment evidence and questionnaires are required at 24 months and at the end of the investment period.
Your investor visa specialists.
With decades of experience in the investor visa space, our team are well-equipped to navigate you and your family through the process. Get in touch for confidential initial discussion.
Notes on this guide…
This guide explains the category in general terms. Immigration instructions can change; eligibility depends on the rules and circumstances applicable to your application.
Check your Green List options
Try our online assessment form, which will give us all the information we need to determine the most suitable option for your circumstances.