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New Zealand Investor Visa Attracts 491 Applications Worth Nearly NZ$3 Billion Since April

American and Chinese investors lead the surge in New Zealand's revamped program as "US applicants pursue multi-generational planning," says Mischa Mannix-Opie.
Moustafa Daly IMI

Moustafa Daly

IMI
• Cairo

New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa has attracted 491 applications, representing a potential US$3 billion (~US$1.7 billion) in investment since authorities relaunched the program in April 2025.

US investors account for the largest share of applications, submitting 182 requests covering 524 individuals, followed by China with 81 applications and Hong Kong with 61.

The data, which authorities released this week, show growing momentum for the program, which aims to attract active investors rather than passive capital holders, though the government recently said it will allow visa holders to purchase luxury homes priced at NZ$5 million.

2025 Program Overhaul Driving Surge

The April 2025 reforms introduced two distinct investment pathways, replacing the previous single-category structure that required NZ$15 million in committed funds. The Growth category now requires NZ$5 million over three years in higher-risk ventures, including managed funds and direct business investments, whilst the Balanced category mandates $10 million over five years across mixed investment portfolios.

Immigration New Zealand says it has processed applications at an average turnaround of 31 working days for approval in principle, with 353 applications reaching this stage.

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The agency has granted 129 resident visas, representing NZ$770 million in committed investment flowing into the economy, primarily through approved managed funds and bonds.

The statistics show a pronounced preference for the Growth pathway, with 400 applications compared to 91 in the Balanced category.

According to Mischa Mannix-Opie, Director of Client Experience at Greener Pastures New Zealand, this distribution signals investor confidence in longer-term productive investments rather than passive, short-term solutions.

The application velocity since the April reset stands out, Mannix-Opie notes, saying that application volume and approval rates far exceed earlier patterns. Of the 491 total applications, 441 represent new submissions under the revised framework, whilst 50 transitioned from the previous visa settings.

American Lead

The continued American dominance reflects historical patterns of the program, Mannix-Opie explains, adding that US families using this route usually plan ahead rather than respond to immediate pressures.

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As such, many are not rushing to relocate immediately, instead building long-term optionality for their families, with New Zealand serving as a credible alternative that often transitions from a contingency plan to a primary destination over time, Mannix-Opie says.

American applicants are typically highly mobile business owners, founders, investors, and senior executives with existing global exposure, according to Mannix-Opie.

These clients, she adds, approach New Zealand as “multi-generational planners rather than transactional investors,” weighing wellbeing, education, environment, and community alongside capital preservation and growth.

Chinese applicants are the second-largest source market, garnering 81 applications, followed by Hong Kong with 61. Combined, Chinese and Hong Kong applicants now account for nearly 30 percent of all Active Investor Plus applications.

The 31 nationalities represented in the application pool include the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, among others.

Immigration New Zealand maintains a pipeline of 133 applications currently being processed, representing an additional NZ$774 million (US$445 million) in potential investment commitments.

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