Active Investor Plus Visa New Zealand
If you have serious capital to invest and you are thinking about calling New Zealand home, the Active Investor Plus Visa is the pathway built for you. It lets high-net-worth individuals gain New Zealand residence by putting real money into the country’s economy, without needing a job offer, English test, or years of waiting in a queue. In simple terms, you invest, you meet the conditions, and New Zealand welcomes you and your family as residents.
This specialised visa page walks you through what the visa actually involves, who it suits, how much you need, and how Ezy Immigration can guide you through every step so nothing gets lost in translation between your goals and government paperwork. Immigration rules change often, and getting one detail wrong can cost you months. That is exactly why working with a licensed adviser who lives and breathes these updates matters more than ever.
What Is the Active Investor Plus Visa?
The Active Investor Plus Visa is New Zealand’s main residence-by-investment programme. It replaced the older Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories — you can read more about how the predecessor Business Investor Visa compares — and was refreshed again in April 2025 to make the process simpler and more attractive to global investors. There is no points system and no Expression of Interest stage anymore. You apply directly, show that your funds were earned lawfully, transfer them into New Zealand, and keep them invested for a set period.
There are two categories to choose from, and the right one depends on how much you want to invest and how much time you can spend in the country.
- Growth Category asks for a minimum of NZD $5 million, held in higher-risk investments such as direct business investment, managed funds, or philanthropy, for at least three years. You only need to spend 21 days in New Zealand during that period, which can suit investors who still run businesses overseas.
- Balanced Category asks for a minimum of NZD $10 million, spread across a wider mix that can include listed shares, bonds, and property developments, held for at least five years. This category asks for 105 days in the country but allows a gentler, lower-risk spread of assets.
Both routes lead to the same outcome: permanent residence once your conditions are met, and the freedom to live, work, study, and travel in New Zealand indefinitely. For a broader look at how this visa fits alongside other pathways, our step-by-step guide to getting the Active Investor Plus Visa covers the process in more depth, and our general guide to migrating to New Zealand sets it in context against other residence pathways.
The Real Challenge Investors Face — and How the Visa Solves It
Most investors we speak with are not short on capital. What they lack is clarity. New Zealand’s immigration instructions are detailed, the acceptable investment rules are strict, and a single missed requirement, such as an investment that Invest New Zealand does not consider acceptable, can delay or derail an application entirely. Add in source-of-funds evidence, medical checks, police certificates from every country you have lived in, and family visa arrangements, and the process can feel overwhelming even for experienced business people.
The Active Investor Plus Visa solves the “where do I even start” problem by giving investors one clear, government-backed route to residence. But it only works smoothly when every document, every fund transfer, and every category choice is handled correctly the first time. That is where working with an experienced adviser, rather than going it alone, changes the entire experience from stressful to straightforward.
Key Benefits of the Active Investor Plus Visa
There is no job offer required, no English language test, and no upper age limit, which sets this visa apart from almost every other residence pathway New Zealand offers. You can include your partner and any dependent children aged 24 and under in the same application, so your whole family moves together rather than through separate processes.
Because the visa is capital-based rather than skills-based, business experience is not assessed either — unlike, for example, the Entrepreneur Work Visa, which does weigh business plans and experience. What matters here is that your funds are genuine, lawfully earned, and correctly transferred. Once your investment period is complete and conditions are met, permanent residence follows, along with the right to travel in and out of New Zealand freely for years without needing to renew a temporary visa.
New Zealand itself is part of the appeal. It offers political stability, a strong legal system, world-class healthcare and education, and a lifestyle that blends city convenience with genuine outdoor space. For many investors, the visa is not just a document. It is the first step toward a different quality of life for their whole family.
What the Active Investor Plus Visa Requires
Beyond the investment amount itself, applicants must be of good health and good character, provide police certificates, and show clear evidence of how their investment funds were earned or acquired. Funds must be transferred into New Zealand through recognised banking channels, a solicitor, or an investment account in the applicant’s name, and gifted funds are allowed only if they were lawfully sourced and unconditional.
| Requirement | Growth Category | Balanced Category |
|---|---|---|
|
Minimum investment |
NZD $5 million |
NZD $10 million |
|
Investment period |
3 years (36 months) |
5 years (60 months) |
|
Time required in NZ |
21 days |
105 days |
|
Acceptable assets |
Direct investment, managed funds, philanthropy (up to 20%) |
Direct investment, managed funds, listed equities, bonds, property developments, philanthropy |
|
Path to residence |
After 3 years |
After 5 years |
|
Job offer needed |
No |
No |
|
English requirement |
No |
No |
If any of this feels like a lot to track, that is completely normal. It is also why most successful applicants choose not to navigate it alone.
How an Active Investor Plus Visa Application Works
Throughout that entire journey, from your first inquiry to the day your permanent residence is confirmed, having a dedicated adviser means you are never guessing what comes next. You can learn more about our team and approach on our About Us page, or read what past clients say about working with us on our testimonials page.
Let's Talk About Your Investment Pathway
Every investor’s situation is different, and the right category, timeline, and investment mix depend entirely on your personal circumstances. Rather than guessing which route suits you best, the simplest next step is a conversation with someone who reviews these applications regularly. Ezy Immigration offers a free assessment where we look honestly at your situation and tell you where you stand, no pressure, no obligation.
Is the Active Investor Plus Visa Right for You?
The Active Investor Plus Visa remains one of the most direct ways for investors to secure New Zealand residence, offering flexibility across two investment categories and a clear route to permanent residence without the usual hurdles of points, English tests, or job offers. What it demands in return is precision: correct documentation, acceptable investments, and careful timing.
That precision is exactly what a trusted adviser brings to the table. If you are seriously considering New Zealand as your next home, the smartest first move is simply to ask questions before you commit capital. Visit the Ezy Immigration homepage to explore our full range of visa services, or reach out directly to start the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the eligibility criteria for the Active Investor Plus Visa in New Zealand?
You must be of good health and good character, invest at least NZD $5 million (Growth) or NZD $10 million (Balanced) in acceptable investments, and prove your funds were lawfully earned. No job offer, English test, or age limit applies.
- Which companies offer services to help apply for the Active Investor Plus Visa?
Licensed immigration advisers such as Ezy Immigration specialise in investor visa applications, helping with category selection, document preparation, and liaison with Immigration New Zealand throughout the entire process.
- How do I apply for the Active Investor Plus Visa in New Zealand?
You apply directly online through Immigration New Zealand, no Expression of Interest is needed. Applications include identity, health, character, and financial evidence, followed by fund transfer once approved in principle. Our step-by-step guide walks through this in detail.
- How much capital do I need to invest for the Active Investor Plus Visa?
You need at least NZD $5 million under the Growth category, held for three years, or NZD $10 million under the Balanced category, held for five years, depending on your chosen investment mix and risk appetite.
- Where can I find a trusted immigration adviser specialising in investor visas?
Ezy Immigration provides personalised guidance for investor visa applicants, from initial eligibility checks through to fund transfer and residence approval. A free assessment is the easiest way to start.
- What are the top investment options accepted under the Active Investor Plus Visa?
Accepted options include direct business investment, managed funds, listed equities, bonds, philanthropy, and property developments, though the exact mix allowed depends on whether you choose Growth or Balanced.
- Can I manage my own investments while on an Active Investor Plus Visa?
Yes, many investors manage their own portfolios, though all direct investments and managed funds must be assessed as acceptable by Invest New Zealand before they count toward your visa conditions.
- What is the typical processing time for an Active Investor Plus Visa application?
Immigration New Zealand aims to approve 80 percent of applications in principle within around three months, though timing can vary depending on document completeness and current application volumes.
- Are there firms that provide portfolio guidance for Active Investor Plus Visa applicants?
Yes, wealth managers and investment advisers often work alongside immigration specialists to help investors choose acceptable, compliant investments that satisfy both visa rules and personal financial goals.
- What are the tax implications of investments made under the Active Investor Plus Visa?
Investing in New Zealand can affect your tax residency and obligations. Immigration New Zealand recommends seeking professional tax advice and consulting Inland Revenue’s guidance before transferring funds.
How would you like to proceed with your Active Investor Plus Visa plans?
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Ready to turn your investment portfolio into lifelong security and lifestyle freedom in Aotearoa? Whether you are deploying direct investments, investing in approved managed funds, or structuring a balanced asset strategy, managing source-of-wealth documentation and INZ compliance requires seasoned expertise. Schedule a private strategy session with our licensed advisers to structure an audit-ready investor application for your family.
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- What You Get From Your Free High-Net-Worth Assessment
Ready to align your global investment portfolio with unconditional permanent residence in Aotearoa? Take our quick 2-minute evaluation to see whether your direct investments, approved managed funds, or balanced assets qualify under active immigration policy. It is 100% free, transparent, and discreet. You’ll get clear, actionable guidance on acceptable asset classes, residency timeframes, and family inclusion (partner and dependent children up to 24).
- We assess your asset mix across direct investments, managed funds, listed equities, and property
- We outline your time-in-country requirements (from as few as 21 days over 3 years)
- We structure a clear roadmap from Approval in Principle to unconditional Permanent Residence
- Your corporate, private banking, and personal data remain 100% secure and protected
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Success Stories
Hear from skilled professionals we have helped successfully migrate to New Zealand.