An IMGW News Report
New Zealand is set to relaunch its investor visa programme in April 2025, offering a simplified, more attractive route for wealthy individuals seeking residency. The revised scheme replaces the cumbersome Active Investor Plus Visa with two streamlined categories: Growth and Balanced.
The Growth category requires a minimum investment of NZD 5 million over three years, targeting high-risk placements such as direct equity in New Zealand enterprises. The Balanced category, meanwhile, demands NZD 10 million over five years, favouring lower-risk options such as bonds and property — marking a notable shift in policy.
“By lowering entry costs, accelerating processing, and expanding qualifying investments, New Zealand is seeking to compete more aggressively with rival programmes worldwide.”
For the first time, property investment is permitted under the Balanced route, albeit tightly regulated. Eligible assets include newly built residential developments that expand housing supply, as well as commercial and industrial properties. Bond investments are also now admissible, expanding the range of opportunities for investor migrants.
Alongside broader investment options, New Zealand is easing physical presence requirements. Growth investors need only spend 21 days in the country across the investment term, while balanced investors are required to spend 105 days — though higher investments can reduce this further. For instance, investing NZD 13 million trims the stay obligation by up to 42 days.
Applicants will also benefit from faster processing, with a six-month deadline to complete investments post-approval. Importantly, the government has scrapped the English-language requirement, removed since its controversial introduction in 2022, opening the door to a wider pool of global investors.
This overhaul marks a decisive departure from the now-defunct Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas. By lowering entry costs, accelerating processing, and expanding qualifying investments, New Zealand is seeking to compete more aggressively with rival programmes worldwide.
Policymakers hope the refreshed Golden Visa will funnel foreign capital into high-impact sectors, foster job creation, and reinforce New Zealand’s reputation as a safe haven for global investors.
With implementation set for 1 April 2025, prospective applicants have limited time to align their plans with the new regime.
