New Zealand · investor · Leads to settlement
Active Investor Plus Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 8 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Residence visa for investors committing at least NZD 5 million in the Growth category or NZD 10 million in the Balanced category.
- Processing time
- Approval in principle: INZ reports 80% within about 10.5 weeks.
- Government fees
- From NZD 27,470.
- Typical duration
- Resident visa; permanent residence after meeting conditions over 3 years (Growth) or 5 years (Balanced).
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 8 July 2026, the Active Investor Plus Visa for New Zealand is an unsponsored New Zealand immigration route. Sources: official New Zealand government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/new-zealand/active-investor-plus#answer
What is the Active Investor Plus Visa in New Zealand?
Active Investor Plus Visa is an unsponsored New Zealand route. Indicative government fees are From NZD 27,470; indicative processing time is Approval in principle: INZ reports 80% within about 10.5 weeks; typical duration is Resident visa; permanent residence after meeting conditions over 3 years (Growth) or 5 years (Balanced). This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Immigration New Zealand (INZ) on 22 June 2026.
Overview
The Active Investor Plus Visa (AIPV) replaced New Zealand's former Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories. Current settings use two investment paths: Growth category investors must invest at least NZD 5 million in acceptable investments for at least 36 months, while Balanced category investors must invest at least NZD 10 million for at least 60 months. Growth category investments can include direct investments, managed funds, and philanthropy capped at 20% of the total investment.
Additional sources
Primary source
Immigration New Zealand — investing and doing business ↗ · Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Minimum NZD 5 million invested in acceptable Growth category investments for at least 36 months, or NZD 10 million in acceptable Balanced category investments for at least 60 months.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ✓Funds transferred to New Zealand within 6 months of approval in principle, unless INZ grants the one-off extension.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ✓Good character and lawful source of funds.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ✓Meet health requirements.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
Common blockers
- !Investment amount or asset mix does not meet the Growth or Balanced category requirements.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- !Source-of-funds not adequately documented.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Evidence of investment funds and their lawful source.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
- ·Investment plan specifying NZ investment targets.
- ·Police certificates.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) ↗
Application pathway
Choose Growth or Balanced category
Confirm whether the investment plan meets the NZD 5 million Growth or NZD 10 million Balanced category settings.
Lodge the resident visa application
Submit nominated funds, source-of-funds, identity, health, and character evidence to INZ.
Transfer and invest funds
After approval in principle, transfer and invest the nominated funds in New Zealand within the allowed timeframe.
Meet investment and time-in-NZ conditions
Maintain Growth investments for 36 months or Balanced investments for 60 months, and meet the category-specific physical-presence requirement.
Apply for permanent residence
After meeting the conditions, apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.
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 current minimum is NZD 5 million under the Growth category or NZD 10 million under the Balanced category. Growth category investments are kept for at least 36 months; Balanced category investments are kept for at least 60 months.
Can I live outside New Zealand while holding the investor visa?+
Yes, but you must meet the category-specific time-in-New-Zealand condition: at least 21 days during the 36-month Growth investment period, or at least 105 days during the 60-month Balanced period. The Balanced requirement can reduce if you invest additional funds in acceptable Growth category investments.
How long do I have to keep my investment before getting full New Zealand residence?+
The Active Investor Plus Visa is now split into Growth and Balanced categories. Growth category investors keep at least NZD 5 million in acceptable investments for 36 months before applying for permanent residence; Balanced category investors keep at least NZD 10 million invested for 60 months. Verify the current conditions with Immigration New Zealand.
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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