New Zealand Government Updates Its Investor Visa Program
The New Zealand government has unveiled significant updates to its Investor Visa program, loosening rules and introducing tailored investment options to incentivize investment. Effective April 1, 2025, the Active Investor Plus visa will:
- introduce 2 simplified investment categories — “Growth” and “Balanced;”
- lower investment thresholds - a minimum investment amount of NZD $5 million for Growth category investors and NZD$10 million for Balanced category investors;
- broaden the scope of acceptable investments for the Balanced category to include bonds and property (new residential, new/existing commercial, or industrial developments) investments;
- reduce immigration requirements for migrants with more active investments, including time required to be physically present in the country;
- reduce the time period to make the investments to six-months of approval and provide a six-month extension; and
- remove the English language requirement.
These changes provide greater flexibility and lower financial commitments for investors in the Growth category and provide less risky investments for investors in the Balanced category. To further its goal of increasing foreign investment in New Zealand, the government is also reviewing its Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) tax rules, which impose a capital gains tax on unrealized gains from overseas shares, and the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (OIA), which imposes restrictions on investors buying New Zealand companies and properties.
With the above changes and currently favorable currency rate (not to mention its stunning land), New Zealand is an attractive option to live and obtain citizenship. Please reach out to our Global Mobility team for a consultation.
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Associate Mary Connelly was a contributing author to this client alert.
