Investor Visas for New Zealand
Migrant Investment categories
The Migrant Investment categories are for investors who want to gain residence in New Zealand.
There are two options known as the:
- Investor Category (also known as the Investor 2 Category)
- Investor Plus Category (also known as the Investor 1 Category)
1. Investor Category Criteria
If you are able to invest a minimum of NZ$1.5 million in New Zealand and own additional settlement funds and/or assets of at least NZ$1 million, then you may be eligible to apply for residence in New Zealand under the Investor Category.
Under this category, the first step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form, which we would do for you, showing your eligibility for points under the various criteria for this category. Immigration New Zealand can approve a maximum of 300 residence applications per year under the Investor Category. They make a fortnightly selection from the pool of EOIs, selecting those applicants with the highest points totals.
This application includes your immediate family and everyone will have to meet our health, character, and English language requirements.
You (the principal applicant) must be aged 65 or younger, and have at least three years’ business experience, as well as meeting the Investor criteria summarised below.
You will need to be able to provide evidence showing that your intended investment funds:
- are unencumbered, ie not subject to any mortgage, lien, charge and/or encumbrance (whether equitable or otherwise) or any other creditor claims.
- have been earned or acquired legally.
- are transferable through the banking system, or a foreign exchange company that uses the banking system.
After your visa application is approved in principle, you will need to provide verifiable documents to show that the funds you transfer to New Zealand came from the funds and/or assets that you nominate. You will need to place your investment funds in an acceptable investment(s) in New Zealand.
After residence is approved
Once your residence application is approved in principle, you will have 12 months to transfer your nominated investment funds and invest them in an acceptable investment in New Zealand, though it is possible to apply and have this timeframe extended. You can also apply for a work visa so you can travel to New Zealand to look into investment opportunities. It is a requirement of this visa that you will retain your investment funds in an acceptable investment(s) for four years, and spend at least 146 days each year in New Zealand in years two, three and four of your four-year investment period.
2. Investor Plus Criteria
If you are able to invest a minimum of NZ$10 million in New Zealand, and you would like to apply for New Zealand residence, the Investor Plus category could be the best option for you. Under this category, there is no age restriction, business experience, settlement funds or English language requirements. If you meet these criteria, you may submit a residence application directly and we would do this on your behalf as your licensed immigration adviser.
Everyone included in your residence application will have to meet our health and character requirements. As part of the application process you will need to provide verifiable evidence that you meet the Investor Plus criteria summarised below.
Investment funds and/or assets
The nominated funds and/or assets in your residence application must be equivalent to at least NZ$10 million. You will need to provide evidence to show that these funds and/or assets:
- are owned by you or jointly by you, your partner and/or dependent children.
- are unencumbered, i.e. not subject to any mortgage, lien, charge and/or encumbrance (whether equitable or otherwise) or any other creditor claims.
- have been earned or acquired legally.
- are transferable through the banking system, or a foreign exchange company that uses the banking system.
After your application is approved in principle you will need to provide verifiable documents to show that the funds you transfer to New Zealand came from the funds and/or assets that you nominated. You will need to invest a minimum of NZ$10 million in acceptable investments in New Zealand.
You cannot nominate investment funds or assets you intend to bring to New Zealand for your personal use – for example a personal residence, car, or boat.
Once your residence application is approved in principle, you will have 12 months to transfer your nominated investment funds and invest them in an acceptable investment in New Zealand, though it is possible to apply to have this timeframe extended. You can also apply for a work visa so you can travel to New Zealand to look into investment opportunities. It is a requirement of this visa that you retain your investment funds in acceptable investments for three years. You will need to spend at least 44 days in New Zealand each year in years two and three of your three-year investment period.