Investor Visas for New Zealand
There are a number of visa options available for investors and entrepreneurs:
Investor 1 Category, Investor 2 Category, Parent Retirement Category and Temporary Retirement Category.
The objective of New Zealand's Investment Migration Policies is to attract capital to our economy.
While Entrepreneur Work and Entrepreneur Residence Visas also require considerable investments, they are primarily based on establishing and running a business in New Zealand and are covered by a separate visa policy.
Distinctive benefits for Investor Visa applicants
- Investor migrants can enjoy the New Zealand lifestyle without having to work.
- Investor migrants will obtain New Zealand residency without waiting time.
- There are safe and easy to understand investment options in New Zealand.
- You have a choice of how and where you invest your funds in New Zealand.
- New Zealand`s political stability ensures that your investment is secure.
- Your partner and dependent children are included in your visa application.
- The English language requirements are less strict than for other visa types.
- All migrants can enjoy personal safety in New Zealand.
Will you qualify for an Investor Visa?
Different levels of investments are required for different investor visa types:
- Investor 1 Category: NZ $ 10 million
- Investor 2 Category: NZ $ 1.5 million investment + NZ $ 1 million settlement funds
- Parent Retirement Category: NZ $ 1.0 million investment + NZ $ 0.5 million settlement funds, plus family and annual income requirements
- Temporary Retirement Category: NZ $ 0.75 million investment + NZ $ 0.5 million settlement funds, plus family and annual income requirements
The Key Requirements - A Quick Self-Check
In short, the more capital you can invest, the less further requirements you will have to fulfil.
Compare the different visa types for investors and entrepreneurs and see whether you might qualify:
|
Investor Category 2 |
Investor Category 1 |
Entrepreneur Work & Residence Visas |
Parent Retirement Category |
Temporary Retirement |
Employees of Relocating Business Category |
|
|
Good health |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required | Required | Required |
|
Good character |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required | Required | Required |
|
Investment funds |
Minimum of NZ$ 1.5 millions for 4 years |
Minimum of NZ$ 10 millions for 3 years |
Minimum of NZ$ 100,000 - can be waived |
Minimum of NZ$ 1 million | NZ$ 750,000 | |
|
Settlement funds |
NZ$ 1.0 million |
No requirement |
Sufficient Maintenance Funds for the first three years |
NZ$ 500,000 | NZ$ 500,000 | |
|
Maximum age |
65 |
No requirement |
No requirement |
No requirement | Must be 66 years or older | |
|
Minimal English language |
IELTS level 3 |
No requirement |
IELTS level 4
|
No requirement | No requirement | IELTS level 4 |
|
Minimum time to be spent in NZ |
146 days each year |
44 days each year |
No requirement – but you have to be self employed in New Zealand on a full-time basis for 2 years to qualify for an Entrepreneur Residence Visa.
|
No requirement | No requirement | |
|
Business Experience |
Required |
Required |
Required |
No requirement | No requirement | Must be a key employee of a relocating business |
|
Business Plan |
No requirement
|
No requirement
|
Required |
No requirement | No requirement | Relocation of business must be supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. |
Ask Dr.Carsten Hallwass which of these visa options might be best suited for you.
Find out more about the requirements of investor and entrepreneur visas:
Investor 1 Category
Parent Retirement Category
Temporary Retirement Category
Do you need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) for a consent to invest in New Zealand?
Ask our Business and Investor Migration Expert
If you want to find out more about investing in New Zealand, contact Dr Carsten Hallwass, the Business and Investor Migration Adviser in our team.
Contact Dr Hallwass