New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa program is undergoing significant transformation starting April 1, 2025, with simplified investment categories and reduced thresholds. The changes aim to make New Zealand more attractive to international investors while maintaining the program’s core purpose of encouraging meaningful economic contribution. These modifications represent the government’s response to feedback from investors and stakeholders, acknowledging the need for more accessible pathways to residency through investment. The revamped program introduces two distinct investment categories—Growth and Balanced—with reduced minimum investment amounts, broader acceptable investment options, and relaxed immigration requirements, making it considerably more accessible to global investors seeking residency in New Zealand.
Evolution and Current Status of the Active Investor Plus Visa
The Active Investor Plus Visa was originally launched in September 2022, replacing the previous Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories, with the explicit intention of encouraging more active investment in New Zealand businesses^13. Under the current framework, applicants must invest NZD $15 million or the weighted equivalent in acceptable investments for a minimum period of 48 months^6. This program differs from its predecessors through a weighted investment system that incentivizes direct investment in New Zealand firms, aiming to generate higher business productivity and stimulate job growth throughout the country^13.
The weighting system currently assigns different values to various types of investments. Direct investments into private businesses receive the highest weighting (3x), enabling applicants to meet the required investment threshold with just NZD $5 million in direct investments^1. Investments into managed funds receive a 2x weighting, meaning applicants could satisfy requirements with NZD $7.5 million in such investments^14. Meanwhile, investments in listed equities and philanthropy receive no additional weighting (1x) and are each capped at 50% of the total investment requirement, or NZD $7.5 million^14.
Since its introduction, the program has attracted considerable interest but fewer applications than its predecessors. According to Immigration New Zealand, as of February 5, 2025, the program has received 101 applications involving 318 people since its launch in September 2022^13. Of these applications, 43 have been approved, 31 have received approval in principle, 13 were withdrawn by applicants, and 14 are still under assessment^13. The investment funds committed under approved applications total NZD $545 million, with an additional NZD $363 million expected from applications approved in principle^13.
Current Eligibility Requirements
Applicants under the current program must satisfy several key criteria. They must have at least NZD $15 million or the weighted equivalent in available assets or funds^6. They need to demonstrate good health through medical examinations and chest x-rays, and provide police certificates proving good character^6. Applicants must also satisfy fit and proper person requirements, confirming that all businesses they influence have complied with immigration, employment, and taxation laws^6. Currently, applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency, typically through an IELTS score of level 5^7. Additionally, they must spend at least 117 days in New Zealand during the 4-year investment period^7.
The 2025 Reforms: Introducing Growth and Balanced Categories
Starting April 1, 2025, the Active Investor Plus Visa will implement significant changes designed to make the program more attractive to international investors^3. The New Zealand government’s stated goal is to simplify and broaden investment offerings to make the country more accessible to foreign high-value investors^4. These changes follow concerns about the current high investment thresholds and focus on riskier investments, which has led to a significant decline in applicants compared to the previous investor visa programs^9.
The Growth Category
The Growth category focuses on active, higher-risk investments including direct investments into New Zealand businesses and certain approved managed funds^5. This category requires a minimum investment of NZD $5 million maintained over a 36-month (3-year) period^4. One of the key advantages of this category is the significantly reduced physical presence requirement, with applicants only needing to spend a minimum of 21 days in New Zealand over the three-year investment period^5. This represents a substantial reduction from the current requirement of 117 days over four years, making the program significantly more accessible to international investors who may have business interests in multiple countries.
The Growth category is designed to attract investors willing to take more active roles in New Zealand businesses and contribute to the country’s economic development through direct investment in growth-oriented companies. By focusing on direct investments and managed funds, this category aims to channel foreign capital into businesses with high growth potential, spurring innovation and job creation in the New Zealand economy.
The Balanced Category
The Balanced category offers a more diversified investment approach with a broader range of acceptable investments^5. This category requires a higher minimum investment of NZD $10 million maintained over a longer 60-month (5-year) period^3. In exchange for the higher investment amount and longer commitment period, investors in this category have access to a much wider range of investment options. These include all the investments available under the Growth category (direct investments and managed funds) plus bonds, listed equities, property investments (including new residential developments and new or existing commercial or industrial developments), and philanthropy^5.
The physical presence requirement for the Balanced category is 105 days in New Zealand over the five-year investment period^5. However, a unique feature of this category is the ability to reduce this stay requirement by investing additional funds in Growth category investments (direct investments and managed funds)^11. This flexibility allows investors to customize their investment strategy and residency requirements according to their personal circumstances and preferences.
Streamlined Application Process and Requirements
The revamped Active Investor Plus Visa program introduces several changes to streamline the application process and make it more accessible to international investors. One of the most significant changes is the removal of the English language requirement^3^9. Under the current program, applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency, typically through an IELTS score of level 5. The elimination of this requirement removes a potential barrier for many international investors and aligns with the government’s goal of attracting a broader range of high-value investors to New Zealand.
Another important change involves the timeline for making investments. Both Growth and Balanced category visa holders must complete all their investments within six months of receiving approval in principle^3. However, applicants may apply for a six-month extension if they can provide evidence that they made reasonable attempts to transfer and invest their funds within the initial six months but were unable to do so^4.
The application process itself remains largely unchanged. Applicants must submit a visa application, which includes providing evidence of available funds and assets, medical certificates, police certificates, and information about family members included in the application^17. Upon approval in principle, applicants have six months to transfer and invest their funds in New Zealand^12. After making the required investments, applicants receive a conditional residence visa. Compliance checks are conducted throughout the investment period, with final compliance checks occurring at the end of the required investment period (36 months for Growth category and 60 months for Balanced category)^16.
Benefits and Advantages of the Active Investor Plus Visa
The Active Investor Plus Visa offers numerous benefits to successful applicants and their families. Perhaps most significantly, it provides a direct pathway to New Zealand residency for high-net-worth individuals and their immediate family members^2. Successful applicants are granted indefinite residence, allowing them to live, work, and study in New Zealand^2. The visa also includes the applicant’s spouse or partner and dependent children up to 24 years old^7.
After maintaining the required investments for the specified period (three years for Growth category and five years for Balanced category), visa holders become eligible to apply for permanent residency^2. Permanent residency in New Zealand has no ongoing requirements, unlike many countries that require continuous compliance to maintain permanent resident status^12. After five years of residency, visa holders may be eligible to apply for New Zealand citizenship, subject to meeting relevant requirements^7.
Beyond immigration benefits, the program offers investors access to New Zealand’s stable political environment, strong economy, high-quality education and healthcare systems, and exceptional quality of life^7. New Zealand consistently ranks highly in global indices for ease of doing business, lack of corruption, and quality of life, making it an attractive destination for investors and their families.
Investment Options and Opportunities
The Active Investor Plus Visa program offers a diverse range of investment options, particularly under the new Balanced category effective April 1, 2025. Direct investments into New Zealand businesses remain one of the most valued investment types, receiving the highest weighting under the current system and forming a core component of the Growth category under the new framework^1. These investments allow investors to take active roles in New Zealand companies, potentially contributing expertise, global connections, and strategic guidance alongside their capital.
Managed funds represent another significant investment option, particularly those approved by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise^9. The program recognizes numerous managed funds, including venture capital funds, private equity funds, and specialized investment vehicles focused on sectors such as sustainable energy, technology, and innovation^16. Some of the approved managed funds include AAM Corporate Loan Fund III, Alvarium Active Investor Managed Account, Climate Venture Capital Fund Extension Limited Partnership, and various others^16.
Under the new Balanced category, investors will have access to additional investment options including bonds, listed equities, and property investments^3. Property investments can include new residential developments, rental or social housing projects, and new or existing commercial or industrial property developments^11. This expanded range of investment options provides investors with greater flexibility to diversify their investments and potentially reduce risk while still contributing to New Zealand’s economic development.
Comparison with Previous Investor Visa Programs
The Active Investor Plus Visa represents a significant evolution from New Zealand’s previous investor visa programs, the Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories, which were discontinued when the Active Investor Plus Visa was launched in September 2022^7. The current program introduced a weighting system to incentivize direct investment in New Zealand businesses, moving away from the more passive investment approach of the previous programs.
The upcoming changes effective April 1, 2025, further refine this approach by creating two distinct investment categories that cater to different investor preferences and risk appetites. The Growth category continues the emphasis on active investments but with a reduced minimum investment amount of NZD $5 million compared to the current effective minimum of NZD $5 million for direct investments under the weighting system^5. The Balanced category introduces a middle ground, requiring a higher investment amount of NZD $10 million but offering a broader range of investment options^5.
The changes also address some of the criticisms of the current program, particularly regarding the high investment thresholds and limited investment options, which have contributed to a decline in applications compared to the previous investor visa programs^9. By reducing minimum investment amounts, expanding investment options, removing the English language requirement, and reducing physical presence requirements, the new framework aims to make New Zealand more competitive in attracting global investors.
Conclusion: Future Outlook and Considerations
The upcoming changes to New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa represent a strategic shift in the country’s approach to attracting foreign investment through immigration. By introducing more flexible investment categories, reducing minimum investment amounts, and relaxing certain requirements, New Zealand aims to position itself as a more competitive destination for high-net-worth investors seeking residency through investment^3^9.
The changes acknowledge the realities of global investment patterns and the needs of international investors, particularly those who may have business interests across multiple countries and cannot commit to extended periods of physical presence in New Zealand. The introduction of the Growth category, with its focus on active investments and minimal physical presence requirement of just 21 days over three years, specifically caters to this demographic^5.
For potential applicants considering the Active Investor Plus Visa, these changes offer significant opportunities. The reduced investment thresholds make the program more accessible to a broader range of investors, while the expanded investment options under the Balanced category provide greater flexibility to create a diversified investment portfolio^3. The removal of the English language requirement eliminates a potential barrier for many international investors^3.
As these changes take effect on April 1, 2025, potential applicants should begin preparing their investment strategies and application materials. Immigration New Zealand has indicated that further details about the implementation process will be published in early March 2025, providing additional clarity for prospective applicants^10. Current applicants who have already received approval in principle under the existing framework will have the option to transition to the new program, though specific details on this process are still forthcoming^4.
The Active Investor Plus Visa, with its forthcoming changes, represents New Zealand’s commitment to attracting high-value foreign investment while ensuring that such investment contributes meaningfully to the country’s economic development. By balancing investment requirements with attractive residency benefits, the program offers a compelling proposition for global investors seeking to establish a presence in one of the world’s most stable, prosperous, and livable countries.
