The Active Investor Plus Visa, also known as "The Golden Visa", offers two pathways to New Zealand, depending on the level of investment.
The Growth category requires a minimum investment of NZD $5 million for a minimum period of 3 years.
It focuses on higher-risk investments, including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses.
The Balanced category requires a minimum investment of NZD $10 million over 5 years.
It focuses on mixed investments, allowing you to choose those with lower risks.
The average time for an application under the new settings to be approved in principle is 23 working days.
News: New managed fund requirements from 28 September.
You must invest at least NZD $5 million for the Growth category or NZD $10 million for the Balanced category in acceptable investments in New Zealand.
You must invest your nominated investment funds in acceptable investments in New Zealand for at least 36 months for the Growth category and for at least 60 months for the Balanced category.
Important: While Invest New Zealand determines whether direct investments or managed funds are acceptable for this visa category, they do not endorse or guarantee the success of any investments. You should make sure that you do your due diligence on any investment opportunities you are considering before you invest.
You must transfer your investment funds to New Zealand:
You will have 6 months from that date of the Approval in Principle to transfer your nominated funds.
You must have earned or acquired your investment funds lawfully.The evidence you provide will depend on how you came by your funds. It may include:
If you apply for the Growth category, you must keep at least NZD $5 million in acceptable investments in New Zealand for 36 months.
,You must provide evidence that your nominated funds have remained invested in New Zealand at 24 months and at 36 months.
If you apply for the Balanced category you must keep at least NZD $10 million in acceptable investments in New Zealand for 60 months.
You must provide evidence that your nominated funds have remained invested in New Zealand at 24 months and at 60 months.
You must provide this evidence within 3 months (from the 24, 36 or 60 month date).
The majority of the investments to date have been in Invest-NZ approved managed funds and bonds.
Changes to managed funds and direct investment offerings under the Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa will come into effect on 28 September 2026.
Managed funds will be required to provide and maintain investment deployment plans, giving investors greater confidence that funds have a clear strategy for investing in New Zealand.
Managed funds and direct investments that are declined will need to wait 6 months before reapplying. This encourages high-quality applications and supports a stronger investment programme.
Invest New Zealand will have enhanced powers to suspend or revoke the eligibility of managed funds and direct investments that no longer meet programme requirements.
New guidance will clarify the features of Growth category investments, making it easier for investors and fund managers to understand the requirements of the Growth and Balanced categories.
If you apply for the Growth category you must spend at least 21 days in New Zealand as a holder of a resident visa during the 36 month investment period.
If you apply for the Balanced category you must spend at least 105 days in New Zealand as a holder of a resident visa during the 60 month investment period.
However, for each additional NZD $1 million you invest in acceptable Growth category investments, you can reduce the time required in New Zealand by 14 days. You can do this up to a maximum reduction of 42 days.
If your family is included in your resident visa, they will need to come to New Zealand within 12 months of their visa being granted.
After you have held a Migrant Investment or an Active Investor Plus Resident Visa for at least 24 months, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.
With a Permanent Resident Visa, you can travel in and out of New Zealand indefinitely, as long as you keep your visa in a valid passport.
The Business Investor Visa offers new immigration options for investors.
Please note: The Entrepreneur Category is now closed to new applications for the Entrepreneur Work Visa. Applications under the Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas are no longer accepted.
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