Can Foreigners Buy Property in New Zealand? Key Rules for Investors

January 12, 2026 · New Zealand · 11 min read

New Zealand’s property ownership rules are among the strictest in the world, designed to protect the housing market for citizens and permanent residents. So can foreigners buy property in New Zealand? For most international investors, buying a home there is virtually impossible without residency.

Who can buy property in New Zealand under the current rules

Citizens and residents (including permanent residents)

This is the most common group of buyers permitted to own standard residential property in New Zealand. It includes:

• Citizens of New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore.
• Resident Visa holders who also meet the “ordinarily resident” test. To be ordinarily resident, you must hold a Resident Visa, have lived in New Zealand for at least 12 months, have been physically present for more than 183 days in the most recent 12 months, and be a New Zealand tax resident.
• Resident Visa holders who do not yet meet the residence test can still buy a home, but must first obtain consent from the Overseas Investment Office (OIO).

Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa holders: new rights from 2026

In September 2025, the New Zealand government announced that holders of the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa would be allowed to buy residential property in New Zealand, with the following advantages:

• No requirement to meet the “ordinarily resident” test.
• No minimum stay of 183 days per year.
• A streamlined OIO consent process (applications are generally decided within 5 working days).
• Flexible use: the property can serve as a residence, a holiday home, or a business.

Restrictions:

• The property must be valued at NZ$5 million or more.
• Each investor may own only 1 property under this pathway. To buy another, the first property must be sold.
• Land classed as “sensitive” cannot be bought under this pathway, such as farmland larger than 5 hectares and some coastal and island land.

At the time of writing, the New Zealand government had said the new rules would take effect during 2026 (official start date to be confirmed).

Buying property for business purposes

This route is for foreign nationals who do not hold any New Zealand visa.

• Apartments in new developments: may be bought to rent out or to hold for capital growth and resale, but the buyer may not live in them under any circumstances.
• Buying land to build on: the investor must sell the homes once construction is complete and may not use them as their own residence. For larger developments (20 or more homes), the investor may keep the homes as rental properties.

Flexible New Zealand residency options for investors

New Zealand’s investor visa programs are designed to match each investor’s capital with their goals.

Popular investment programs

1. Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP)

This is a passive investment option for investors who want a relatively fast route to a Resident Visa without strict physical presence requirements in New Zealand.

• Invest through managed funds or directly in New Zealand businesses (from NZ$5 million under the Growth category, or from NZ$10 million under the Balanced category).
• No management experience, age limit, or language test required.
• Flexible residency requirements: a minimum of just 21 days in New Zealand over 3 years (Growth) or 105 days over 5 years (Balanced).
• Capital can be withdrawn after the required investment period (3 or 5 years, depending on the category).

| See full details of the Active Investor Plus Visa

2. Business Investor Visa

For experienced businesspeople who invest in and run an existing New Zealand business (buying it outright or acquiring at least 25% of the shares).

• A more accessible investment threshold (from NZ$1 million).

Investment structure: two pathways

• Standard pathway: invest from NZ$1 million and apply for a Resident Visa after 3 years of running a qualifying business.
• Fast-track pathway: invest from NZ$2 million and apply for a Resident Visa after 12 months of running a qualifying business.

| See full details of the Business Investor Visa

Benefits for the whole family

• High-standard public services: from the moment residency is granted, you and your family can access an international-standard healthcare system, and your children can attend public schools tuition-free.
• Freedom of movement: once you hold a Permanent Resident Visa, your family can live and work in New Zealand and travel in and out without restriction, with no need for a re-entry visa.
• From residence to citizenship, with global reach: a New Zealand passport offers visa-free access to 187 destinations, including the United States, Canada, and Europe’s Schengen Area.
• Reciprocal privileges with Australia: New Zealand citizens can live and work freely in Australia under the Special Category Visa (subclass 444), with a streamlined pathway to Australian citizenship.

IMM Group: why choose a proven advisory firm?

The global investment migration landscape is constantly shifting and increasingly complex. Investors need an advisory partner who not only helps build a strong application but also gives their family peace of mind about the future. For New Zealand investment migration programs and all of our global investment migration solutions, IMM Group stands out as a strategic advisory partner, supporting you with experience and integrity.

As a pioneer with more than 21 years of hands-on experience in Vietnam, IMM Group does not act as a sales agent. We do more than advise — we design investment migration solutions built on:

• Rigorous due diligence and risk management: Having successfully handled hundreds of applications, including complex cases, we conduct multi-layered project due diligence and protect investors’ interests rigorously, including during periods of market stress.
• In-depth professional advice and full transparency: Every IMM Group consultant and case manager holds an international investment migration advisory certification issued by the Investment Migration Council (IMC). Our team provides a comprehensive analysis of benefits and risks so you can make decisions based on complete and accurate information. We put our clients’ long-term interests first.
• Integrity and commitment at every stage: Guided by our philosophy, “Serving with Authentic Values,” IMM Group commits to supporting you from the first step until you are settled. Integrity is our foundation, reflected in our readiness to protect client interests and to proactively refund service fees when risks beyond the client’s control arise (as set out in the contract).
• Giving back: Since 2025, IMM Group has operated as a nonprofit enterprise, committing at least 50% of its annual profits to the Be Better Fund. By choosing IMM Group, you join us in supporting meaningful initiatives and the social responsibility and human values we pursue.

If you are interested in New Zealand investment migration programs, contact IMM Group or leave your details below. Our experienced advisors will provide detailed guidance and help assess the prospects of your case. We will keep your personal data confidential and use the information you provide only to advise on your family’s case.

IMM Group

• Tags:
• New Zealand residency by investment
• Active Investor Plus Visa
• Business Investor Visa program
• Buying property in New Zealand

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