The aim of this overhaul is clear: shift offshore capital away from passive investments and into high-growth, productive New Zealand businesses, while offering a streamlined residence pathway for high-net-worth individuals.
Who Is the Active Investor Plus Visa For?
The AIPV is designed for high-net-worth investors seeking New Zealand residence with minimal lifestyle disruption and a strong investment focus. Unlike skills-based visas, the emphasis is on capital deployment, not age, qualifications, or English ability.
Key Non-Negotiable Requirements
✔️ No age limit – there is no maximum age for the principal applicant
✔️ No English language requirement
✔️ Minimal physical presence in NZ compared with other residence categories
✔️ Capital must be lawfully earned and invested in acceptable NZ assets
Two Investment Pathways: Growth vs Balanced
Rather than a single fixed threshold, the AIPV now offers two distinct investment categories, allowing applicants to align their investment strategy with their risk profile.
1. Growth Category (Most Popular)
Minimum investment: NZ$5 million
Investment period: 3 years
Physical presence: 21 days total over 3 years
Eligible investments include:
This category is designed for investors who want maximum efficiency — lower capital outlay, shorter investment timeframe, and minimal time in New Zealand.
2. Balanced Category (More Diversified)
Minimum investment: NZ$10 million
Investment period: 5 years
Physical presence: 105 days total over 5 years
Eligible investments include:
This pathway suits investors who prefer broader diversification and lower volatility, even with a higher capital commitment.
Investment Timing & Structure
The Residence Outcome
By:
Applicants are granted New Zealand residence, with a clear pathway to Permanent Residence once conditions are met.
Partners and dependent children can be included in the residence application.
Why the AIPV Stands Out Globally
Compared with other “golden visa” programs, New Zealand’s AIPV offers:
✔️ One of the lowest residence-presence requirements globally
✔️ No language testing
✔️ No age cap
✔️ A politically stable, OECD-regulated investment environment
✔️ A clear shift toward meaningful, growth-driven investment
Investor Behaviour: Growth vs Balanced — What Do Most Choose?
In practice, many high-net-worth applicants gravitate toward the Growth category, attracted by:
That said, investors seeking capital preservation, diversification, or reduced exposure to private markets often favour the Balanced category despite the higher investment threshold.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to risk tolerance, portfolio strategy, and how actively the investor wants to engage with New Zealand’s business ecosystem.
New Zealand has fundamentally redesigned its investor migration settings, replacing the former Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas with the Active Investor Plus Visa (AIPV).
The aim of this overhaul is clear: shift offshore capital away from passive investments and into high-growth, productive New Zealand businesses, while offering a streamlined residence pathway for high-net-worth individuals.
Who Is the Active Investor Plus Visa For?
The AIPV is designed for high-net-worth investors seeking New Zealand residence with minimal lifestyle disruption and a strong investment focus. Unlike skills-based visas, the emphasis is on capital deployment, not age, qualifications, or English ability.
Key Non-Negotiable Requirements
✔️ No age limit – there is no maximum age for the principal applicant
✔️ No English language requirement
✔️ Minimal physical presence in NZ compared with other residence categories
✔️ Capital must be lawfully earned and invested in acceptable NZ assets
Two Investment Pathways: Growth vs Balanced
Rather than a single fixed threshold, the AIPV now offers two distinct investment categories, allowing applicants to align their investment strategy with their risk profile.
1. Growth Category (Most Popular)
Minimum investment: NZ$5 million
Investment period: 3 years
Physical presence: 21 days total over 3 years
Eligible investments include:
This category is designed for investors who want maximum efficiency — lower capital outlay, shorter investment timeframe, and minimal time in New Zealand.
2. Balanced Category (More Diversified)
Minimum investment: NZ$10 million
Investment period: 5 years
Physical presence: 105 days total over 5 years
Eligible investments include:
This pathway suits investors who prefer broader diversification and lower volatility, even with a higher capital commitment.
Investment Timing & Structure
The Residence Outcome
By:
Applicants are granted New Zealand residence, with a clear pathway to Permanent Residence once conditions are met.
Partners and dependent children can be included in the residence application.
Why the AIPV Stands Out Globally
Compared with other “golden visa” programs, New Zealand’s AIPV offers:
✔️ One of the lowest residence-presence requirements globally
✔️ No language testing
✔️ No age cap
✔️ A politically stable, OECD-regulated investment environment
✔️ A clear shift toward meaningful, growth-driven investment
Investor Behaviour: Growth vs Balanced — What Do Most Choose?
In practice, many high-net-worth applicants gravitate toward the Growth category, attracted by:
That said, investors seeking capital preservation, diversification, or reduced exposure to private markets often favour the Balanced category despite the higher investment threshold.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to risk tolerance, portfolio strategy, and how actively the investor wants to engage with New Zealand’s business ecosystem.
