New ZealandResidence

New Zealand golden visa: Active Investor Plus Visa

Active Investor Plus Visa

In short

The Active Investor Plus Visa gives residence to investors who place at least NZD 5 million in the Growth category for 36 months, or NZD 10 million in the Balanced category for 60 months, in acceptable New Zealand investments. It costs from NZD 27,470, includes your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger, and leads to permanent residence after 3 or 5 years.

Apply on Immigration New Zealand – Active Investor Plus Visa checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Live, work and study indefinitely
Validity
Resident visa with investment and time-in-New Zealand conditions
Fee
NZ$27,470INZ 'from' price.
Funds required
NZ$5,000,000Growth category minimum, held 36 months; Balanced category NZD 10 million held 60 months.
Processing time
Approval in principle: 80% within 11 weeks; then 6 months to transfer and invest
Work
Yes
Family
Partner (living together 12 months or more) and dependent children aged 24 or younger
Path to permanent residence
Permanent residence after 3 years (Growth) or 5 years (Balanced) of keeping the funds invested
Where to apply
Online, from inside or outside New Zealand

Personal requirements

You must be a fit and proper person: businesses you have influence over must have complied with immigration, employment and tax laws, and you must never have been investigated by the Serious Fraud Office or the police over business dealings, have no dishonesty convictions and no involvement in business fraud. You and your family must have a chest X-ray and medical examination, and everyone aged 17 or older needs police certificates from countries of citizenship and any country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Investment categories

Growth category: at least NZD 5 million for 36 months in direct investments or managed funds that Invest New Zealand considers acceptable, with philanthropy allowed up to 20% of the total. Balanced category: at least NZD 10 million for 60 months, which can also include listed equities and other permitted assets. INZ stresses that Growth investments are higher risk and often illiquid, that Invest New Zealand's approval is not an endorsement, and that applicants should take independent legal and financial advice.

The funds must have been earned or acquired lawfully; unconditional, lawful gifts can count. After approval in principle you have 6 months to transfer and invest the money in New Zealand.

Conditions after the visa

Growth investors must spend at least 21 days in New Zealand as resident visa holders during the 36-month investment period; Balanced investors at least 105 days during the 60 months. Each additional NZD 1 million in acceptable Growth investments (excluding philanthropy) reduces the required time by 14 days, up to a limit. INZ keeps in touch to check that the conditions are met.

Family members

Your partner must be in a genuine and stable relationship with you and have lived with you for at least 12 months. Dependent children aged 24 or younger can be included; those aged 21 to 24 must show they still rely on you financially. Included family complete a Resident Visa Declaration Form (INZ 1242). Children born later can be added through a Dependent Child Resident Visa.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Passports and 2 acceptable photos for each applicant

Money

  • Evidence of investment funds and their lawful source (including any gifts)

Other

  • Police certificates for everyone 17 or older, with translations
  • Chest X-ray and medical examination certificates

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Family

  • Relationship and birth certificates; INZ 1242 forms for family

How to apply, step by step

  1. Choose the Growth or Balanced category and take independent legal and financial advice.
  2. Prepare evidence of funds and their lawful source, and health and police documents.
  3. Apply online and pay the fee; INZ issues an approval in principle.
  4. Within 6 months, transfer and invest the funds in acceptable investments; you may get a work visa to come and arrange this.
  5. Submit investment evidence to receive the resident visa.
  6. Keep the investment for 36 or 60 months and meet the days-in-New-Zealand condition.

Forms

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to invest for New Zealand residence?

At least NZD 5 million in the Growth category or NZD 10 million in the Balanced category.

How many days must I spend in New Zealand?

21 days over 36 months for Growth, or 105 days over 60 months for Balanced, with reductions for extra Growth investment.

Is English required?

INZ's listed requirements for this visa do not include an English test.

Can I buy a house to qualify?

Only investments acceptable under the Growth or Balanced criteria count; INZ advises checking the criteria before investing.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for New Zealand

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Multiple entry: 6 months in any 12; single entry: up to 9 months in 18
  • Transit visa Maximum stay: Up to 24 hours, inside the Auckland airport transit area
  • Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Up to 6 months; you are not asked to leave until it is safe to travel

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 3 months in any 1 year
  • Investor visa Maximum stay: Up to 4 years (12-month establishment stage, then operating stage); one renewal of up to 2 years

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Up to 4 years, linked to the course

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: Up to 3 years: 3 years for master’s or doctoral study of 30+ weeks; otherwise equal to the study period
  • Skilled worker visa Maximum stay: Up to 5 years in total (3 years for skill level 4 or 5 jobs), then time outside New Zealand
  • Working holiday visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months

Family

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

New Zealand visa guide