WELLINGTON, June 23 – New Zealand’s revamped Active Investor Plus visa has seen a surge in interest, with Immigration New Zealand receiving 189 applications in just ten weeks since policy changes came into effect in April. The government attributed this sharp rise to reforms aimed at making it easier for high-net-worth individuals to gain residency through strategic investment.
According to Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, the volume of applications under the new policy has already outpaced the previous system, which saw only 116 applications over a two-and-a-half-year period. She suggested that New Zealand’s reputation as a secure, business-friendly economy with high growth potential increasingly attracted international investor interest.
Minister Willis noted that as countries around the world compete for global capital and skilled migrants, the uptick in applications reflected positively on New Zealand’s international standing. The revised visa framework, she said, was part of the government’s broader efforts to boost economic momentum and attract quality investments.
The updated program introduced a two-tier system:
- The Growth investment category requires a minimum investment of NZ$5 million over three years, with a focus on high-risk assets, such as managed funds and direct equity in local businesses.
- The Balanced investment category calls for a NZ$10 million commitment over five years, allowing lower-risk options.
Previously, the investor visa demanded a minimum of NZ$15 million, with strict limitations prohibiting investments in property and bonds.
As of June 23rd, 100 applications had been approved in principle, with seven investors already relocating to New Zealand, transferring funds, and receiving visas. Of these, five were through the Growth category and two via the Balanced category. The total committed capital from these applicants stood at NZ$45 million.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford remarked that the government had initially hoped for 200 applications over a full year and was impressed by the pace of interest. With nearly 190 applications submitted in just ten weeks, she said the program was gaining traction across global markets, including the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Germany.
Applicants now have six months to transfer their funds and begin the investment process in New Zealand.
Minister Willis further commented that the investor visa complemented the government’s recently announced Investment Boost policy, introduced in the national Budget. This initiative allows businesses to deduct an extra 20 percent of the value of new assets alongside standard depreciation, giving companies a stronger incentive to reinvest.
She said that while the Active Investor Plus visa brings in capital, the Investment Boost gives investors the confidence to deploy it effectively, helping ensure long-term returns and meaningful economic impact.
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News Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/564907/nearly-200-people-apply-for-golden-visas-in-3-months
