09 Feb 2025 – The Active Investor Plus Visa was introduced on 19 September 2022 to attract investors who want to contribute actively to New Zealand’s economy. It replaced the old Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories, focusing on encouraging direct investments that help businesses grow and create jobs.
What is an Active Investor Plus Visa? It’s a Visa for high-net-worth individuals who can invest a minimum amount of money in New Zealand. With this Visa, you can Work, Study, and Live in New Zealand. There is no restriction on the length of Stay, and you can apply for Permanent Residency after keeping your funds for 4 years in New Zealand.
How Has It Performed So Far?
Since its launch, the visa has received a lot of interest. As of 5 February 2025:
- 101 applications have been submitted, involving 318 people in total.
- Investments from approved applications add up to NZD 545 million.
- An additional NZD 363 million is expected from applications that have been approved in principle.
What’s Changing from 1 April 2025?
To make investing in New Zealand even more attractive, INZ (Immigration New Zealand) is bringing in Key Changes, which will be effective from 1st April. These updates aim to make the process simpler and more flexible for investors while also supporting New Zealand’s economic growth.
1. Two New Investment Categories
- Growth Category: Requires a minimum investment of NZD 5 million.
- Balanced Category: Requires a minimum investment of NZD 10 million.
2. More Investment Options for the Balanced Category
Investors in this category can now invest in:
- Bonds
- Property developments, including new residential projects and commercial or industrial developments (both new and existing).
3. Fewer Residency Requirements
Investors who are more involved in their investments won’t need to spend as much time living in New Zealand compared to before.
4. Faster Investment Timeline
Investors will need to complete their investments within 6 months of getting approval in principle. If needed, they can apply for a 6-month extension.
5. No More English Language Requirement
This change makes the application process easier, opening the door for more investors from around the world.
What About Current Applicants?
More details about these changes and how they’ll affect current applicants will be available in early March 2025. While the old Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas are no longer open for new applications, any applications that were already submitted are still being processed.
These changes reflect New Zealand’s ongoing efforts to create an investor-friendly environment, support economic growth, and offer exciting opportunities for global investors.
Reference
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
About ICL Immigration
ICL Immigration, based in Auckland, is an established licensed immigration adviser with over 20 years of experience and a remarkable 97% approval rate. We’ve helped over 1,000 immigrants realise their New Zealand settlement dreams.
We specialise in a broad spectrum of visa services, including student, residency, and work visas, and business-related services like employer accreditation. We ensure personalised solutions for individuals and businesses aiming to navigate New Zealand’s immigration landscape successfully.
