Active Investor Plus Visa: New Zealand residency by investment, from Resident Visa to citizenship
The Active Investor Plus Visa is New Zealand's investor visa category, allowing investors and their families to live, work, and study in New Zealand with a minimum investment of NZ$5 million. This article examines the Growth and Balanced categories, the eligibility requirements, the five-step process, and the benefits in detail — so you can make a fully informed decision.
What is the Active Investor Plus Visa?
The Active Investor Plus Visa is New Zealand's investor visa, requiring a minimum investment of NZ$5 million in a range of acceptable investment types. The visa allows investors and their families — including a partner and children under 24 who are unmarried and financially dependent — to live, work, and study in New Zealand.
The core of the program is its long-term pathway. After at least 3 years of meeting the residence and investment requirements, investors and their families can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa. After 5 years of living in New Zealand and meeting the requirements, the investor can apply for citizenship. A New Zealand passport, one of the most widely accepted in the world, provides visa-free or eVisa access to a wide range of destinations, including most major economies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the countries of Europe.
Why business owners choose this pathway
For investors with substantial capital, a residency program is weighed not only by its investment amount or procedures, but by the long-term value it delivers. The Active Investor Plus Visa appeals to business owners because it addresses their two most important concerns at once: the future of the next generation and the limited time available to those still running their businesses.
A future for the next generation
New Zealand residency gives investors' children a well-ordered, stable environment in one of the world's leading developed economies — ranked 1st for ease of doing business in the World Bank's Doing Business 2020 report. Alongside this is an internationally recognized education system, with renowned universities and research institutions that emphasize not only knowledge but also the all-round development of thinking and skills. In practice, children included in the application attend public schools free of charge through secondary school, and the whole family has access to publicly funded healthcare. More importantly, this is a foundation with a clear pathway: from a Resident Visa to permanent residence and citizenship — a long-term anchor for the next generation rather than a short-term benefit.
A streamlined option for busy business owners
Unlike many business migration programs, the Active Investor Plus Visa is designed to keep operational commitments to a minimum. The program does not require investors to set up and run a business themselves, and there is no points test — meaning no scoring of the applicant's age, qualifications, or language ability; nor is there an upper age limit. Once eligible, investors are not required to live in New Zealand on an ongoing basis to maintain permanent residence, and the minimum stay requirement during the investment period is modest — at least 21 days over 3 years under the Growth category. On timing, approval in principle takes around 6 months. These features make the program well suited to people still running their businesses, who cannot devote much time to paperwork or lengthy residence obligations.
Two investment categories: Growth and Balanced
Investors choose one of two categories, which differ in investment amount, investment types, and commitment period.
| Criteria | Growth category | Balanced category |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | NZ$5 million | NZ$10 million |
| Investment type | Private New Zealand businesses; approved venture capital funds / managed funds | Private businesses; managed funds; listed equities; bonds; property development projects; philanthropy |
| Investment term | At least 3 consecutive years | At least 5 consecutive years |
| Required time in New Zealand | At least 21 days over 3 years | At least 105 days over 5 years |
| Resident Visa travel conditions | 4 years from first entry | 6 years from first entry |
| Eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa | After at least 3 years | After at least 5 years |
Growth category
The Growth category requires a minimum investment of NZ$5 million in acceptable investments. These include direct investment in private New Zealand businesses, or approved venture capital funds / managed funds. This category offers a lower investment amount and a shorter commitment: capital must be held for at least 3 consecutive years, and the main applicant must spend at least 21 days in New Zealand over the 3-year investment period.
Balanced category
The Balanced category requires a minimum investment of NZ$10 million in acceptable investments, with a broader range of options: direct investment in private New Zealand businesses, managed funds, listed equities, bonds, property development projects, or philanthropy. In exchange for this flexibility, the category carries a longer commitment: capital must be held for at least 5 consecutive years, and the applicant must spend at least 105 days in New Zealand over the 5-year investment period.
Main applicant requirements
In addition to the capital requirement, applicants must meet certain personal requirements. Applicants must be at least 18 years old; the program sets no upper age limit. Applicants must meet character and health requirements and demonstrate that the investment funds come from a lawful source. A partner and children under 24 (unmarried and financially dependent) may be included in the application.
One notable feature is that the program has no points test, does not require establishing and running a business, and does not require ongoing residence in New Zealand to maintain permanent residence.
Application process
The process has five steps, from preparing the application to qualifying for permanent residence.
In step 1, the investor prepares and submits the visa application, including personal documents, financial evidence (proof of ownership of the required investment funds and their lawful source), a proposed investment plan for New Zealand, and medical and police certificates.
Step 2 is approval in principle. Assessment of the application takes around 6 months.
In step 3, after receiving approval in principle, the investor has 6 months (extendable by a further 6 months with a valid reason) to transfer the committed investment funds to New Zealand and place them in the eligible accounts or investments stated in the original application.
In step 4, once the investor has completed the transfer and invested the full amount in eligible investments, Immigration New Zealand grants Active Investor Plus Resident Visas to the applicant and family. The visa allows the whole family to live, study, and work in New Zealand indefinitely. However, its travel conditions are time-limited: 4 years from first entry under the Growth category, and 6 years under the Balanced category. This means that during the first 4 or 6 years, the investor and family may travel in and out of New Zealand freely; after that period, if they have not yet moved to a Permanent Resident Visa, the applicant must apply for a variation of travel conditions in order to continue entering and leaving as a resident.
Finally, at step 5, after 3 or 5 years of meeting the investment and residence conditions, the investor and their family become eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa (PR), and the investment no longer needs to be maintained, so the investor may consider withdrawing their capital.
Benefits of holding New Zealand residency
New Zealand residency brings a range of benefits to the investor's family. The main applicant and their family may reside in New Zealand indefinitely and travel in and out freely during the first 4 or 6 years, depending on the investment category. The family has access to publicly funded healthcare. Children can attend public schools free of charge through secondary school.
Over the longer term, investors who meet the conditions may become permanent residents, with indefinite travel rights to and from New Zealand, after a minimum of 3 years. Further ahead, the program offers a pathway to New Zealand citizenship; a New Zealand passport provides visa-free or eVisa access to a large number of destinations worldwide, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and Europe.
Wealth, education, and a secure home — three benefits that a single investment can bring to the whole family through the Active Investor Plus Visa pathway.
Why choose New Zealand residency?
New Zealand's appeal lies not only in its investment program but also in the country's quality of life and institutional foundations.
A prosperous economy
New Zealand has a stable, developed economy with diverse sectors including agriculture, food processing, information technology, tourism, and financial services, and is regarded as one of Oceania's key industrial and technology hubs. In the World Bank's Doing Business 2020 report, New Zealand ranked 1st globally for ease of doing business.
Quality healthcare
New Zealand's healthcare system is highly regarded, with comprehensive and publicly funded care for residents. Hospitals and medical facilities meet international standards and are equipped with modern technology.
Globally recognized education
New Zealand has a quality education system with many renowned universities, colleges, and research institutions. The system focuses not only on knowledge but also encourages well-rounded development, helping students build social skills and creative thinking.
A rich cultural landscape and diverse lifestyle
New Zealand's culture is shaped by a blend of Māori heritage — the culture of the country's indigenous people — and influences from immigrant communities. Major cities such as Auckland and Wellington bring together many communities, creating a vibrant living environment. The lifestyle here is highly regarded for its relaxed, open spirit and focus on work-life balance.
A mild climate and stunning natural landscapes
New Zealand has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons; summers are mild and winters are seldom harsh. From the Southern Alps to long beaches and green pastures, New Zealand is an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The Active Investor Plus Visa is an option for investors with substantial capital who want to combine placing funds in a stable economy with a long-term residency pathway for their family. With two categories — Growth (from NZ$5 million, held for 3 years) and Balanced (from NZ$10 million, held for 5 years) — the program lets you weigh the investment amount, portfolio, and commitment period that best suit you. To assess your eligibility and build an application plan tailored to your circumstances, speak directly with an advisor.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. What is the minimum investment required for the Active Investor Plus Visa?
The minimum investment is NZ$5 million under the Growth category, or NZ$10 million under the Balanced category, in acceptable investments.
2. What is the difference between the Growth and Balanced categories?
Growth requires less capital (NZ$5 million), with a portfolio of private businesses and approved venture capital or managed funds, a 3-year investment term, and a minimum stay of 21 days. Balanced requires NZ$10 million and allows a broader portfolio (adding listed equities, bonds, property development, and philanthropy), with a 5-year investment term and a minimum stay of 105 days.
3. How many days do I need to spend in New Zealand?
Under the Growth category, the main applicant must be present for at least 21 days during the 3-year investment term. Under the Balanced category, the main applicant must be present for at least 105 days during the 5-year investment term.
4. When can I apply for a Permanent Resident Visa (PR)?
After 3 or 5 years (depending on the category) of meeting the investment and residence conditions, the investor and their family become eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, and the investor may consider withdrawing their capital.
5. Which family members can be included in the application?
A partner and children under 24 (unmarried and financially dependent) may be included in the main applicant's application.
6. Does the program have an age limit?
The main applicant must be at least 18 years old; the program has no upper age limit.
Related links
- Compare New Zealand investment migration programs
- New Zealand residency (Business Investor Visa)
- All IMM Group services
