Do you want to live in New Zealand during your retirement years?
Our principal Immigration Adviser Dr Carsten Hallwass says:
There is no “one-fits-all" visa pathway to retirement in New Zealand, and identifying the right visa policy is therefore not as straightforward as you might expect.
The only two visa categories formally dedicated to retirement in New Zealand are the Parent Retirement Category - only available if you have a child living in New Zealand-, and the Temporary Retirement Category - a visa that will allow you to live here for a limited time only.
Whether you will be able to spend your retirement years in New Zealand will depend on a number of factors, including your age, potential family ties and the assets you will be able to transfer to New Zealand.
We have successfully advised citizens from all over the world with realizing their retirement plans for New Zealand, and are happy to meet with you to establish whether you might qualify for a visa that can lead to your retirement in New Zealand.
If you have a child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident living in New Zealand, and is willing to support your visa application, you might be able to obtain a resident visa under the Parent Retirement Policy.
The Parent Retirement Resident Category is a genuine residence policy. This visa will allow you to stay indefinitely.
If you do not have a child living in New Zealand, the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa might be an option for you.
If you hold a Temporary Retirement Visa, you need to apply for a further Temporary Retirement Visa after two years. The subsequent visa will be granted under the provision that you still meet policy provisions when the application is submitted.
The downside of this visa is that it will not give you peace of mind in the long run. The visa policy, your health or financial situation might change over the years, and you might then no longer be eligible for a visa.
Carsten points out:
"There is no guarantee that you will be able to remain in New Zealand indefinitely on a Temporary Retirement Visa.
An extended visitor visa under the Temporary Retirement Category can theoretically roll over in perpetuity: two years after two years after two years, but it is not future-proof.
On a positive note: These settlement funds can remain where they are. They don’t have to be moved to New Zealand. For example: A house in your home country can be nominated as settlement funds, but does not have to be sold for this purpose."
Are you seeking the unique lifestyle New Zealand has to offer, but do not qualify for one of the two above dedicated Retirement Categories, because you do not have a child living in New Zealand, and a temporary visitor visa does not give you the desired peace of mind that you can stay in New Zealand for your retirement years?
The Active Investor Plus Visa, also known as "The Golden Visa", offers two pathways to New Zealand, depending on the level of investment.
Growth category investors will have to invest a minimum amount of NZD $5 million over a 3-year investment term.
A minimum investment amount of NZD $10 million will be required for Balanced category investors over a 5-year investment term.
Carsten says:
"The Active Investor Plus Category (AIPC) is a genuine investor category. It can be used as retirement vehicle, if you have funds between NZ$ 5 and 15 million available.
Read more about the Active Investor Plus Visa
The Business Investor Work Visa offers 2 options for investors. The required investement levels are considerably lower and both options lead to residence in New Zealand.
A 3-year work-to-residence pathway. This pathway requires a NZD $1 million investment in an existing business.
A 12-month fast-track to residence pathway. This pathway requires an investment of NZD $2 million in an existing business.
The Business Investor Visa might be an option for you if you can see yourself being involved in a business before you eventually retire fully.
Read more about the Business Investor Visa
If you are a parent of a New Zealand resident or citizen, it is worth checking whether you qualify under one of the parent specific policies:
Complete our Free Assessment form or request a confidential One-On-One consultation with Dr Hallwass.
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