🇳🇿 New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa
New Zealand's Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa is an investment migration visa. After the 2025 revision, it is divided into two categories: Growth and Balanced, emphasizing investment in New Zealand businesses and growth assets rather than passive bonds. The Growth category has a lower threshold but is limited to higher-risk investments such as direct/managed funds; the Balanced category has a higher threshold but allows a broader range of assets. From June 2026, the Growth category will also allow a limited portion of charitable donations (with a cap). The following is a neutral summary based on public information; thresholds, eligible investments, and stay requirements are subject to change. Please refer to the latest official announcements from Immigration New Zealand.
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Key Requirements Overview
| Type | Residency (investment immigration, may lead to permanent residency). |
|---|---|
| Minimum Investment Threshold | Growth: approximately NZD 5 million / Balanced: approximately NZD 10 million. |
| Primary investment methods. | Growth: direct investment, managed funds, etc.; Balanced: may include a broader range of asset classes (subject to regulations). |
| Residency Requirements | Must stay in New Zealand for a certain number of days during the investment period (Growth: within 3 years, Balanced: within 5 years, subject to regulations). |
| Pathways to citizenship. | Obtain permanent residency and, after meeting residency and other conditions, may apply for citizenship. |
| Dependent relatives | May include spouse/partner and dependent children (subject to regulations). |
| Processing Timeline | Depends on case and investment implementation progress. |
| Recent Changes | Revised in 2025 into Growth and Balanced categories; from June 2026, Growth category may include charitable donations to a limited extent |
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Key considerations
- The investment must be in qualifying New Zealand assets and maintained for the required period; early withdrawal may affect the visa.
- The Growth category has a lower threshold but is limited to higher-risk investment categories; the investable scope differs from the Balanced category. Confirm the eligible list before investing.
- Residency and citizenship are different statuses; citizenship has additional physical presence and other conditions, reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Application Process
- Confirm source of funds and choose Growth or Balanced category with corresponding eligible investment types.
- Submit the application; upon obtaining in-principle approval, complete the investment transfer within the prescribed period.
- Make the investment and maintain the required amount and duration, and meet the physical presence requirement in New Zealand.
- May apply for permanent residency after meeting conditions.
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
According to public information from Immigration New Zealand, the Growth category threshold is approximately NZD 5 million, and the Balanced category approximately NZD 10 million, with different eligible investment scopes and maintenance periods. Exact amounts, eligible asset classes, and exchange rates subject to the latest official announcements.
What is the difference between Growth and Balanced categories?
In short, the Growth category has a lower threshold but is limited to higher-growth/higher-risk investments such as direct investments or managed funds; the Balanced category has a higher threshold but allows a broader range of asset classes. Actual eligible lists and stay requirements are subject to official regulations.
How long do I need to stay in New Zealand after obtaining the visa?
Both categories have physical presence requirements in New Zealand (commonly a certain number of days accumulated within the investment period: 3 years for Growth, 5 years for Balanced) to ensure a genuine connection. Exact days subject to Immigration New Zealand regulations.
Can this visa lead to citizenship?
This visa grants residency/permanent residency status, not citizenship. Naturalization later requires meeting longer physical presence and other conditions, subject to case-by-case review and approval by the competent authority based on prevailing regulations.
Official sources：Immigration New Zealand · Data Date：2026-06-19。This page is a neutral compilation of publicly available information, for reference only, notImmigration/LawAdvice; programs are subject to the latest official announcements.