Active Investor Plus Visa FAQ: What Investors Need to Know
November 17, 2025 · New Zealand · 16 min read
New Zealand is widely regarded as one of the most attractive destinations for international investors, not only for its stable economy and transparent legal system but also for its policies designed to attract long-term investment. Among these, the Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP visa) stands out: it allows holders and their families to settle, live, and invest lawfully in New Zealand. This Active Investor Plus Visa FAQ provides in-depth answers to the questions investors ask most often about this visa category.
Active Investor Plus Visa FAQ: What Investors Need to Know
What is the Active Investor Plus Visa, and who is eligible?
It is currently New Zealand’s premier investor residence visa, replacing the earlier investor categories. It is designed for international investors with substantial financial resources who wish to settle in New Zealand and contribute to its economic development.
Since April 2025, the New Zealand Government has eased and simplified the AIP visa to attract investment capital more effectively. Instead of the previous complex weighted investment system, investors now simply choose one of two clear pathways:
Growth category
- Minimum investment: NZ$5 million.
- Investment channels: Direct investment in companies or approved managed funds.
- Commitment period: The investment only needs to be held for 3 years.
- Time in New Zealand: Minimal — just 21 days over the 3-year period.
Balanced category
- Minimum investment: NZ$10 million.
- Investment options: Allows investment in more conservative assets such as government or corporate bonds, listed equities, property development, or philanthropic donations.
- Commitment period: The investment must be maintained for 5 years.
- Time in New Zealand: A total of 105 days over the 5-year period.
Other key relaxations
- English language requirement removed: The new policy removes the language barrier; investors are no longer required to provide an IELTS result as they were previously.
- No upper age limit: Applicants only need to be over 18.
Can my spouse and children come with me under this visa?
Yes. The main applicant may include accompanying family members, either in the same application or by sponsoring them later:
- Spouse or partner
- Children: Children aged 24 and under, provided they are single and financially dependent on their parents.
Special benefits: The whole family may live and work freely and access publicly funded healthcare on the same basis as New Zealanders. Children also receive free public schooling (primary and secondary) and pay domestic tuition fees at university.
Benefits for accompanying family members: Once the visa is granted, the whole family receives benefits broadly comparable to those of New Zealand citizens:
- Education: Children can attend public schools free of charge (primary and secondary) and pay domestic tuition fees at university — a saving of up to 70–80% compared with what international students pay.
- Healthcare: Eligibility for publicly funded healthcare, either free or heavily subsidized.
- Freedom to work: Spouses or partners and adult children may work or run a business freely, with no restrictions on the type of work or business.
How long does application processing take?
This is one of the Active Investor Plus Visa’s strongest advantages over older residence categories and over other countries (such as the United States or Australia, where the process often takes years).
The process is currently divided into two stages, with the following priority processing times:
1. Approval in principle stage:
- Timing: As of late 2025, an average of about 4 months from submission of a complete application.
2. Fund transfer and grant of the Resident Visa:
- After receiving approval in principle, the investor has 6 months to transfer the investment funds to New Zealand (a further 6-month extension may be requested where necessary and justified).
- Once you show that the funds have been placed in acceptable investments, the Resident Visa can be granted so the whole family can move to New Zealand.
Is there a minimum stay requirement in New Zealand?
Yes, but the requirement is short and flexible.
Depending on the category, the required time in New Zealand is as follows:
1. Growth category
- Only 21 days in total over the 3-year investment period.
2. Balanced category:
- A total of 105 days over the 5-year investment period (an average of about 21 days per year).
- Reducing the time requirement: Investing additional capital in Growth category investments reduces the time you must spend in New Zealand. For every additional NZ$1 million invested in the Growth category, the requirement falls by 14 days (up to a maximum reduction of 42 days, bringing the requirement down to 63 days across the full 5 years).
Note: The requirements above apply to maintaining your Resident Visa and progressing to a Permanent Resident Visa. Once you hold a Permanent Resident Visa, you and your family may live in New Zealand and enter and leave the country indefinitely, with no further minimum-stay requirement.
Can Active Investor Plus Visa investors buy a home in New Zealand?
Active Investor Plus Visa investors (holding a Resident Visa) may buy a home in New Zealand, but must first apply for consent from the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) under the “One home to live in” pathway. After the purchase, the investor must commit to living in that home.
To buy a home without consent, an investor must meet all 4 conditions:
- Hold a resident visa.
- Have lived in New Zealand for at least the past 12 months.
- Have been physically present in New Zealand for at least 183 days in the past 12 months.
- Be a New Zealand tax resident.
The New Zealand Government has announced a new policy that will allow AIP visa holders to buy one residential property without consent and without meeting the conditions above, provided that:
- The property is worth at least NZ$5 million;
- The transaction complies with the Overseas Investment Act 2005.
However, at the time of writing (November 2025), this was only a proposal, and the law had not yet been formally passed. According to the official announcement, the new rule would not take effect immediately and was expected to be implemented from mid-2026, once the legislative amendments were complete.
What issues can lead to a declined application?
- Failure to demonstrate a lawful and transparent source of funds.
- Investing in assets that do not qualify as acceptable investments
- Health and character issues
Application process
How to apply
A key advantage of this visa is its “approve first, transfer later” process: you do not need to transfer your investment funds until your application has been approved in principle, which helps protect your capital.
Step 1: Prepare your application and document your source of funds
- This is the most critical stage. Your lawyer and advisors will work with you to document the origin of the NZ$5 million or NZ$10 million (for example, from land sales, company profits, or inheritance).
- Complete a medical examination and obtain police clearance certificates.
Step 2: Submit your visa application
- Submit your application online through the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) system.
Step 3: Receive approval in principle
- After around 4 months of processing, if your application meets the requirements, INZ will issue an approval in principle letter.
- What it means: INZ has assessed that you and your family meet the residence requirements; the remaining step is to transfer and invest your funds.
Step 4: Transfer your investment funds
- You have 6 months to transfer capital to New Zealand.
- Deploy the funds into your chosen investments (Growth or Balanced category).
- Note: If you encounter difficulties transferring funds, you may request a further 6-month extension.
Step 5: Resident Visa granted
- Once you provide evidence that your funds have been invested, the Resident Visa can be granted.
IMM Group: why choose a proven advisory firm?
The global investment migration market is constantly shifting and increasingly complex, so investors need an advisory partner who can not only help build a strong application but also serve as a trusted anchor for the family’s future. That is why, for New Zealand investment migration programs and all investment migration solutions, IMM Group offers a distinct advantage as a strategic advisory partner, standing alongside 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 market crises.
- 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 your family is settled. Integrity is our foundation, reflected in our readiness to protect client interests and to proactively refund fees when objective risks beyond the client’s control arise (as set out in the service agreement).
- 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 are committed to keeping your personal data confidential and will use the information you provide only to advise on your family’s case.
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