New Zealand · investor · Leads to settlement
Active Investor Plus Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence visa for investors committing at least NZD 5 million in acceptable NZ investments over 4 years.
- Processing time
- Variable — EOI and full application stages.
- Government fees
- NZD 4,860 principal (verify on INZ).
- Typical duration
- 4-year conditional resident visa; transitions to full residence.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
The Active Investor Plus Visa (AIPV) replaced New Zealand's former Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories in September 2022. It requires a minimum NZD 5 million investment in acceptable NZ investments (weighted by type — direct investments and venture capital are weighted higher than listed equities or bonds) maintained over 4 years. The scheme emphasises 'active' investment that contributes to NZ growth rather than passive bond-holding.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Minimum NZD 5 million in acceptable NZ investments, weighted by investment type (direct/venture capital weighted highest).
- ✓Investment maintained over 4 years.
- ✓Good character and lawful source of funds.
- ✓Meet health requirements.
Common blockers
- !Investment amount below NZD 5 million after weighting (e.g. listed equities are weighted at 60% — you need more than NZD 5 million in listed equities to meet the threshold).
- !Source-of-funds not adequately documented.
Typical evidence
- ·Evidence of investment funds and their lawful source.
- ·Investment plan specifying NZ investment targets.
- ·Police certificates.
Application pathway
Submit EOI
Register your expression of interest with INZ, detailing proposed investment and source of funds.
Receive ITA and lodge application
If selected, submit the full application with investment plan and source-of-funds evidence.
Make investments and receive conditional visa
Transfer funds to NZ and make qualifying investments. Receive a 4-year conditional resident visa.
Transition to full residence
After 4 years of maintaining investments, apply for unconditional residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicantApply for Active Investor Plus ↗
Investor submits the online resident visa application with nominated funds, source-of-funds, and investment evidence.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) · verified
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Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to invest for NZ residence?+
The minimum is NZD 5 million, but the effective amount depends on investment type. Direct investments in NZ businesses and venture capital are weighted at 100%. Listed equities are weighted at 60%. Managed funds vary. You may need more than NZD 5 million if investing in lower-weighted categories.
Can I live outside New Zealand while holding the investor visa?+
You must spend at least 117 days in NZ over the 4-year investment period. This is less than most residence visas require. After transitioning to full residence, there are no ongoing residence requirements.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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