New Zealand’s Active Investor Visa Recieves 44 Applications in Two Weeks

Moustafa Daly
Cairo

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New Zealand’s investor visa starts off with 44 applications, 7 approvals, and at least NZ$260 million in investments in just two weeks since launching.

44 investors applied for New Zealand’s revamped Active Investor Plus Visa within two weeks of its April 1 launch, potentially investing at least NZ$260 million (US$154 million). Immigration officials have approved seven applicants so far, totalling NZ$35 million (US$20 million) in investment. The government has recently overhauled the program and relaxed investment and language requirements.

Most applications (36) fall under the Growth Category, which requires a minimum investment of NZD $5 million (USD $2.96 million) over three years. This category mandates that applicants spend at least 21 days in New Zealand during the 36-month investment period.

The remaining eight applicants have opted for the Balanced Category, which demands a higher threshold of NZD $10 million (USD $5.9 million) over five years. Over half the applicants (23) transitioned from the old scheme to take advantage of the simplified criteria.

Balanced Category investors must spend 105 days in New Zealand over the 60-month period, though each additional NZ$1 million they invest in Growth Category assets reduces this requirement by 14 days, up to a maximum reduction of 42 days per year.

James Hall, Director at ANZ Migrate, says the recent changes have considerably broadened the pool of applicants and increased the program’s appeal. He also says interest is strong due to New Zealand’s good reputation and stability, especially amid a politically volatile global era, nodding to the escalating trade war.

He commends the program’s efficient management, saying he got a client through the whole application process within only one week, gaining approval on April 9. Last week, the government announced that between March 26 and April 9, more than 2,500 people visited the program’s application page, marking a 700% increase compared to the same period last year.

The Impact of Australia’s Attrition

The tightening of the investment migration landscape, particularly the 2024 closure of Australia’s Business Innovation and Investment Visa (BIIP), has also helped the program gain momentum, adds Hall.

He explains that “with no alternative Australian option available, there’s a clear shift in focus from Australia to New Zealand,” adding that the pool of inquiry expanded beyond individual investors and now includes “funds and businesses” seeking to get investment approval and gain access to New Zealand.

But while the closure of Australia’s program helped, its potential return could have the opposite impact.

“We’ll see what happens with the Australian federal election on May 3,” says Hall, adding that if the Coalition wins, he anticipates an “investor visa within one to two years.” But if the Labour government remains in power, he expects that the “status quo” will prevail.

Recently, Australian opposition leader of the Liberal Party, Peter Dutton, said he would bring the investor visa back if he wins in the upcoming election – but he faces an uphill battle given his record-low approval ratings.