Photo by Chris Sisarich
The new Active Investor Plus visa category is now open, replacing the previous Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories which closed in July 2022.
The Government has created this new visa category to attract skilled and experienced high-value investors to New Zealand. It will continue to process all applications which were in progress when those categories closed.
Weighting for acceptable direct investments
INZ will make immigration decisions on applications and assess whether investors are meeting the conditions of their visa. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) will advise which investments are acceptable and provide support services to investors.
The Active Investor Plus visa will be using a weighting system to encourage direct investment and attract active investor migrants who will help New Zealand’s economy grow.
Acceptable investments are New Zealand entities that contribute to the Government’s economic strategy by being high growth potential firms or by having positive social and environmental impacts.
Depending on the type of active investment, the weighting system is:
- 1x – listed equities and philanthropy (each capped at NZ $7.5 million)
- 2x – managed funds
- 3x – direct investments
For example, when the 3x weighting is applied to a direct investment, NZ $5 million invested will be recognised as delivering NZ $15 million in visa eligibility value.
Other changes
People with this new visa will be able to invest over a three-year investment period (and maintain their investments up to the end of a fourth year). They will need to spend at least 117 days in New Zealand during those four years.
There will be limited scope for passive investment by imposing a cap on listed equities.
Holders of an Active Investor Plus visa will need to have IELTS 5 or equivalent (a moderate level of English language skills).
For further information and assistance, contact Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director here.
