An Active Investor Plus visa is suitable for individuals who are intending to live and work in New Zealand and who have a minimum of NZD $15,000,000 (or equivalent) of available assets to invest within six months of arrival.
After four years, holders of this visa will be able to apply for permanent residence in New Zealand providing that the funds they have invested remain in the country.
Individuals who were previously eligible for the now-closed Investor 1 Resident Visa or Investor 2 Resident Visa may find the Active Investor Plus Visa suitable for their needs.
Who can apply for an Active Investor Plus Visa?
In order to qualify for an Active Investor Plus Visa, you must:
- demonstrate that you hold a minimum of NZD $15,000,000 that you intend to invest in New Zealand
- only solely-owned funds or those jointly owned with your spouse or legal partner, or your dependent child/children, will count towards the NZD $15,000,000 requirement. For other jointly-owned funds, only the portion of the funds owned by you will count towards the minimum funds requirement
- you must be able to demonstrate that the source of your planned investment funds is legal and legitimate
- be prepared to provide evidence of the investment/s you intend to make with your available funds
- the investment should be made in New Zealand in New Zealand currency in either:
- philanthropy
- direct investments
- managed funds
- listed equities
- the investment can not be for your personal use
- the investment should be made in New Zealand in New Zealand currency in either:
- be prepared to transfer at least the minimum NZD $15,000,000 required funds to New Zealand within six months of your application being approved
- speak and understand English, and be prepared to provide sufficient evidence of this in your application
- this can be proof that you have an English-speaking background, are a competent user of English or have taken and passed a recognised English language test
- be prepared to prove that you and any businesses you have influence over have complied with immigration, taxation and employment laws, and that you have not been investigated for fraud or financial impropriety, or been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty
- meet the standard good health and character requirements for a New Zealand visa
What does an Active Investor Plus Visa offer?
If you are successful in your application, this visa allows you to:
- Live in New Zealand for an indefinite period
- NB: This is not a permanent residence visa
- work for any employer in New Zealand in any role
- study in New Zealand on any course for any length of time
- Travel freely in and out of New Zealand for a period of five years
- After this five year travel facility expires, you must have renewed it or acquired permanent residence in order to re-enter the country on this visa
- Apply for permanent residence after 48 months, providing that your investments remain in New Zealand for the entirety of this period
- Bring your partner and/or dependent children to New Zealand with you (within no more than 12 months of your entering the country), providing that you include them in your application and that they meet the identity, character and health requirements
Holders of this visa are required to periodically demonstrate that they have invested the amount required. Specifically:
- you must have invested NZD $7,500,000 within the first 18 months of the investment period
- you must have invested an additional NZD $7,500,000 within the first 36 months of the investment period
- you must have the full NZD $15,000,000 invested until at least the end of the 48-month investment period
- all investments must be retained for the entirety of the investment period
Holders of this visa are required to prove the status of their investments within three months of each of these checkpoints.
In addition, holders of this visa must spend at least 117 days in New Zealand during the 48-month investment period.
How do I apply for an Active Investor Plus Visa?
Once you have gathered all your supporting information, you can apply for this visa online. Once an application is approved in principle, you will be given six months to make your minimum initial investment and transfer the remainder of your planned investment funds to New Zealand.
NB: If you wish to travel to New Zealand in order to oversee or execute your investment or transfer of funds, you will need to apply for a separate visitor or work visa to do so.
How much your application will cost depends on your nationality, and whether you are applying from inside or outside New Zealand. The application fee can range from zero up to NZD $7900. Around 80% of applications are completed within 11 months, which includes the time necessary for applicants to make the qualifying investment in New Zealand.
Mohamed Anas Sirajur Raheem
BA (Political Studies), LLB (VUW)
Mohamed is an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, specializing in immigration law.
He is a former New Zealand Immigration Officer (Visa Services) and Border Officer at Auckland International Airport. He has several years of experience working in various Government Departments in New Zealand and has also worked as a Licensed Immigration Adviser at a prominent New Zealand Immigration firm.
His areas of expertise and interest are in the fields of General Skilled Migration, Temporary Work (Long and Short Stay), Business visas, Partner, Parent and Child Visa streams.
Mohamed was inspired to pursue a career in immigration by his own migration experiences. Over the years he has assisted individuals, families, large corporations, Professional sportspeople, and Entertainers (singers, speakers, and actors) to come to New Zealand.
