WELLINGTON: The Active Investor Plus Visa category is designed to attract investors who actively contribute to New Zealand’s economy by facilitating access to global networks, capital, and markets. The visa aims to drive increased business productivity and create job growth, ultimately delivering broader economic benefits to the country.
Investment Activity Between September 2022 and March 2025
Since the launch of the Active Investor Plus Visa in September 2022, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 115 applications for 362 applicants, including both primary applicants and their partners or dependent children.
As of March 2025, the breakdown of these applications is as follows:
-
46 applications approved for a resident visa.
-
13 applications withdrawn by the applicant.
-
33 applications granted approval in principle.
New Visa Settings Launched on April 1, 2025
On 1 April 2025, new settings for the Active Investor Plus Visa were introduced to simplify the investment process and create two distinct investment categories.
As of 10 November 2025, INZ has received 416 applications under the new settings, representing 1,335 applicants. The breakdown of these applications includes:
-
78 in the Balanced category.
-
338 in the Growth category.
Of these, 50 applications represent applicants transitioning from the previous settings to the new ones, while 366 are entirely new applications. No further transitions to the new settings will be allowed.
The total potential minimum investment committed through these applications stands at NZD $2.47 billion.
Progress of Applications Under the New Settings
-
304 applications have received approval in principle, with 57 in the Balanced category and 247 in the Growth category.
-
3 applications have been withdrawn.
-
112 applications are still under assessment.
-
On average, the approval time for an application is 28 working days.
As of 10 November, 86 applications have been fully approved, granting applicants resident visas. The committed investment from these 86 approved applications totals NZD $549.2 million, with the majority directed into Invest New Zealand-approved managed funds and bonds.
Key Changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa
Several key changes were made to the Active Investor Plus Visa to enhance its appeal and effectiveness:
-
Introduction of Two Investment Categories:
-
Growth category: This category targets higher-risk investments, such as managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. Applicants must invest at least NZD $5 million for a minimum of 3 years.
-
Balanced category: This category offers mixed investment options, including lower-risk investments. A minimum investment of NZD $10 million is required over 5 years.
-
-
Reduced Investment Thresholds:
-
The minimum investment amount has been lowered from NZD $15 million (or equivalent) to NZD $5 million for Growth category investors and NZD $10 million for Balanced category investors.
-
-
Broader Investment Options:
-
The range of acceptable investments has been expanded to include bond and property-type investments for Balanced category applicants.
-
-
Removal of the English Language Requirement:
-
The English language proficiency requirement has been eliminated for all applicants.
-
-
Streamlined Immigration Requirements:
-
For investors who choose more active investment strategies, such as direct business involvement, the time spent in New Zealand and other immigration requirements have been relaxed.
-
These changes are designed to attract high-value investors who will contribute to New Zealand’s long-term economic growth while providing them with greater flexibility and opportunities.
(Disclaimer: For further information on the Active Investor Plus Visa, please visit the Immigration New Zealand website.)
