Residency · Oceania
Residency · OceaniaNew Zealand Active Investor Plus
Residence in New Zealand for investors of NZD 5 million in growth assets over three years, or NZD 10 million in balanced assets over five years.
Decision summary
- What do you obtain?
- New Zealand Active Investor PlusRoute to citizenshipPermanent residence after holding the investment for 3 years (Growth) or 5 years (Balanced);
- What does your family invest?
- NZD 5 million (Growth) or NZD 10 million (Balanced).
- What is additional?
- Application fee NZD 27,470 (a NZD 12,070 fee plus a NZD 15,400 levy).
- How long does it take?
- About four months from a complete application.
- Must you travel or live there?
- At least 21 days in New Zealand over three years (Growth) or 105 days over five years (Balanced).
- What is the main drawback?
- Acceptable asset classes only, not residential property. From 28 September 2026 funds must come through the banking system from the applicant's own accounts.
Full wordingHide full wording
Investments must be in acceptable asset classes; residential property does not qualify. From 28 September 2026, funds must be transferred to New Zealand through the banking system from accounts in the applicant's name, and borrowed funds are accepted only in limited cases.Full details below - Family inclusion
- Spouse, Children · conditions apply
- Program status
- Operational
Overview
Since 1 April 2025, Active Investor Plus has two categories. Growth: NZD 5 million in higher-risk assets such as New Zealand businesses and managed funds, held for three years. Balanced: NZD 10 million in assets such as bonds, listed shares, philanthropy and property development, held for five years. Since 1 June 2026, philanthropy may also make up to 20% of a Growth investment.
Investors must spend at least 21 days in New Zealand over the three-year Growth period, or 105 days over the five-year Balanced period.
The English language requirement was removed from 1 April 2025. Invest New Zealand (Invest NZ) keeps the list of acceptable managed funds and confirms direct investments for the Growth category; Immigration New Zealand decides the visa.
Rules in force from 28 September 2026 tightened two areas. Managed funds must file and keep updated a deployment plan, and can lose acceptable status if committed capital is not substantially deployed within 12 months. Investment money must reach New Zealand directly through the banking system, from the applicant's own accounts or a solicitor trust, pension or investment account in their name; cash and offshore conversion services that pay in as a local transfer are not accepted, and borrowed funds are accepted only in limited cases.
Path to citizenship
5 yearsof residence before you can apply for citizenship
Permanent residence after holding the investment for 3 years (Growth) or 5 years (Balanced); citizenship possible after 5 years of residence.
See every residency route to citizenship →Who this program may not suit
Taken from the facts recorded on this page. It may not suit you if:
- Your budget is below NZD 5,000,000, the minimum recorded investment, before fees and costs.
- You cannot meet the stay rule: At least 21 days in New Zealand over three years (Growth) or 105 days over five years (Balanced).
Investment pathways
- Investment pathway
- Growth category (NZD 5 million, three years) or Balanced category (NZD 10 million, five years).
- Minimum investment
- NZD 5 million (Growth) or NZD 10 million (Balanced).
Checked against official programme sources
Family inclusion
Spouse
Named in the rule
Children
Named in the rule
Parents
Not named in the rule
Siblings
Not named in the rule
Ages, dependency and other conditions are in the rule below; confirm them for each family member.
- Eligible dependents
- Partner and dependent children up to age 24.
Checked against official programme sources
Application process
- 1Lodge an Active Investor Plus resident visa application with Immigration New Zealand, choosing the Growth or Balanced category and proving lawful ownership of funds, good character and acceptable health.
- 2Immigration New Zealand assesses the application and, if requirements are met, approves it in principle.
- 3Within six months of approval in principle, transfer the nominated funds to New Zealand and invest them in acceptable assets; one six-month extension may be granted.
- 4Direct investments in Growth must be confirmed acceptable in writing by Invest NZ before you invest.
- 5Once investment evidence is provided, Immigration New Zealand grants the resident visa with investment conditions; it reports an average of 36 working days for this stage.
- 6Hold the investment for three years (Growth) or five years (Balanced), spending at least 21 or 105 days in New Zealand over that period.
Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.
Indicative timelines
- Indicative processing timeframe
- About four months from a complete application.
Checked against official programme sources
Investment and fees
Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.
Estimate for your family
- Investment for your family
- NZD 5,000,000
- Growth category
- Known total so far
- NZD 5,000,000
- 5 cost items not yet included
Children are counted as 10 and parents as 60 unless you enter ages in the calculator. Full breakdown and ages
Qualifying investment
- Growth category
- NZD 5,000,000
- Balanced category
- NZD 10,000,000
- Estimated additional costs
- Application fee NZD 27,470 (a NZD 12,070 fee plus a NZD 15,400 levy).
- To be confirmed
- Government fees · Due diligence fees · Investment holding period
Checked against official programme sources
Residence requirements
- Residence requirements
- At least 21 days in New Zealand over three years (Growth) or 105 days over five years (Balanced).
- Renewal requirements
- Not applicable — a resident visa allowing indefinite stay while the investment conditions are met.
- Potential route to citizenship
- Permanent residence after holding the investment for 3 years (Growth) or 5 years (Balanced); citizenship possible after 5 years of residence.
Checked against official programme sources
Due diligence and documentation
Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.
Considerations, limitations and risks
Important restrictions
Investments must be in acceptable asset classes; residential property does not qualify. From 28 September 2026, funds must be transferred to New Zealand through the banking system from accounts in the applicant's name, and borrowed funds are accepted only in limited cases.
- Published entry thresholds are not comprehensive costs; taxes, professional fees and dependent charges may apply.
- Immigration law, visa access and naturalisation rules can change without notice.
- Individual eligibility depends on nationality, financial background, due diligence and program-specific criteria.
Status and authority
- Operational status
- Operational
- Official government authority
- Immigration New Zealand
- To be confirmed
- Legal basis · Nationality restrictions
Programme rules change; your advisor confirms every figure before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to invest for New Zealand residence?
NZD 5 million in growth assets over three years, or NZD 10 million in balanced assets over five years.
What is the minimum investment for New Zealand Active Investor Plus?
NZD 5 million (Growth) or NZD 10 million (Balanced).
Can my family be included?
Partner and dependent children up to age 24.
Is there a minimum stay requirement for New Zealand Active Investor Plus?
At least 21 days in New Zealand over three years (Growth) or 105 days over five years (Balanced).
How long does the process take?
About four months from a complete application.
Does the New Zealand Active Investor Plus lead to citizenship?
Permanent residence after holding the investment for 3 years (Growth) or 5 years (Balanced); citizenship possible after 5 years of residence.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. Every application is decided by the government concerned after due diligence, and requirements can change.
Discuss New Zealand with an advisor.
Share your objectives in confidence. An advisor will outline the options that may be relevant to your family and circumstances.