The New Zealand Government has announced key changes relaxing rules to the Active Investor Plus Visa category to make it easier and more attractive for wealthy people to invest in New Zealand.
Key Changes
From 1 April 2025, changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa include:
- Introducing 2 simplified investment categories — Growth and Balanced
- A minimum investment amount of NZD$5 million for Growth category investors and NZD$10 million for Balanced category investors
- Broadening the scope of acceptable investments for Balanced category to include bond and property (new residential, new/existing commercial or industrial developments) investments
- Fewer immigration requirements for migrants who choose more active investments (such as time required to be spent in New Zealand)
- Reducing the time Growth and Balanced category visa holders have to make their investments in New Zealand, both categories must make all investments within 6 months of their approval in principle but may apply for a 6 month extension, and
- Removing the English language requirement.
The changes help attract high value investment, simplify settings, and incentivise people to invest in ‘active’ investment classes.
Growth vs Balanced
The new Growth and Balanced investment categories will allow for a broader range of investments.
| Compare | Growth Category | Balanced Category |
| Minimum | NZ $5 million | NZ $10 million |
| Residence | Spend a minimum of 21 days | Spend a minimum of 105 days |
| Investment Period | Retain investment for 3 years | Retain investment for 5 years |
| Allowed investments | Managed funds Direct investments | Bonds (Government, local government, corporate), Listed equities, Philanthropy Property development (new residential or new /existing commercial or industrial) |
| Retention checkpoints | 24 months, 36 months | 24 months, 60 months |
| Time to transfer | 6 months from the date of Approval in Principle, with the option to apply for a one 6 month extension (12 months total) | 6 months from the date of Approval in Principle, with the option to apply for a one 6 month extension (12 months total) |
The Growth category will focus on more active investments, including direct investments and managed funds. It will require a minimum investment of $5 million and minimum investment period of three years, and for the investor-migrant to spend at least 21 days in New Zealand over three years.
The Balanced category will focus on mixed investments, with the ability to choose lower-risk investments. There will be a minimum investment of $10 million over five years, with the investor-migrant required to spend at least 105 days in New Zealand over that period. However, exceeding the minimum investment amount by investing in Growth category investments can reduce the number of days required to be spent in New Zealand.
The Government implemented these changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa to help New Zealand encourage growth and make investing in New Zealand more attractive.
