New Zealand Golden Visa: An Investor’s Guide to the Active Investor Plus Visa

The New Zealand Golden Visa is an residency by investment program that allows high-net-worth investor to become New Zealand permanent residents through a financial investment.

Officially called the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Program, foreign nationals can get indefinite residency by investing at least NZD $5 million in the country’s economy. The investment options are divided into a Growth category and a Balanced category, each featuring distinct investment thresholds, investment periods, and physical presence requirements.

Approved investors can make stable investment opportunity and enjoy a high standard of living while gaining the opportunity to become a New Zealand citizen after five years.

Global Citizen Solutions produced this guide to outline the eligibility criteria for a New Zealand Investor Visa through active investment, the differences between categories, the application process, and its benefits.

New Zealand Golden Visa: Key Takeaways

The New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa is a residency program that allows foreigners to live, and work in New Zealand in exchange for a qualifying investment in the country’s economy.

Also known as the New Zealand Golden Visa, the program provides benefits such as a pathway to permanent residency, access to New Zealand’s world-class education and healthcare systems, and long-term security for the entire family.

The minimum investment for the New Zealand Golden Visa is NZD $5 million (~$3 million) Growth Category or NZD $10 million (~$6 million) Balanced Category.

After completing the required investment period, namely 3 years under the Growth Category or 5 years under the Balanced Category, and meeting the stay requirements, investors can apply for permanent residency in New Zealand and eventually citizenship.

Requires physical presence of between 44 – 88 days (about 3 months) per year and English language proficiency.

Family members (spouse and dependent children) can be included in the New Zealand Active Investor Visa application.

The Active Investor Plus Visa is a residency by investment program managed by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). Also known as the New Zealand Golden Visa Program, foreign individuals can invest significant funds into acceptable New Zealand-based investments. 

Successful applicants receive indefinite New Zealand residency. The main applicant can include a partner and dependent children up to age 24, and Global Citizen Solutions supports families throughout the process by coordinating compliance requirements and providng guidance throughout the visa application process.

Although sometimes called the New Zealand Citizenship by Investment program, the visa doesn’t offer automatic citizenship. After meeting the character and physical presence requirements, applicants may apply for New Zealand citizenship after five years.

Since the recent New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa requirements for 2026 were introduced, the program has received 532 applications as of January 2026. US investors lead demand, followed by investors from China and Hong Kong.

Most investors choose the Growth category, which covers 81 percent of total invested funds, compared with the Balanced category. Committed investment reached NZD $926.2 million.

1. Permanent residency: Active Investor Plus Visa holders gain the right to work, study, and reside in New Zealand indefinitely.
2. Family inclusion: A spouse or partner and dependent children (up to age 24) can be included in New Zealand Golden Visa applications.
3. High quality of life: New Zealand ranks 12th in the Quality of Life Index of the 2025 Global Passport Index, with high-quality healthcare and education.
4. Flexible stay requirements: Growth category investors are only required to stay in New Zealand for 21 to over three years, which works out to one week annually.
5. Luxury property ownership: New Zealand Golden Visa changes in 2025 introduced the option for visa holders to buy a personal residence valued at least NZD $5 million.
6. Tax benefits: New Zealand Golden Visa tax benefits include no inheritance, estate, or wealth taxes.
7. Naturalization: After five years holding a New Zealand residence permit, Active Investor Plus Visa holders can qualify for New Zealand citizenship.

In addition to having the necessary funds for acceptable investments in either visa category, foreign nationals must meet character requirements to fulfill the New Zealand Golden Visa eligibility criteria, which includes the following:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be of good character
• Provide proof of a clean criminal record
• Pass standard health checks. 
• Demonstrate that investment funds have been legally obtained

Qualified dependents

The New Zealand government allows foreign investors to include the following family members in their application:

• Spouse or partner
• Children
  • Under 21
  • Under 24 if financially dependent

Dependent children included in an application must not have children of their own.

Under the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa, applicants can choose between two investment categories: the Growth category and the Balanced category. New Zealand Golden Visa reforms in 2026 include a reduced minimum investment.

Each category comes with different thresholds, timelines, and stay requirements, as well as specific rules on eligible asset classes.

Growth category

• Minimum investment threshold of NZD $5 million
• Three-year investment period
• 21-day stay requirement in New Zealand over three years 
• Qualifying investment: 
  • Direct equity investments in private New Zealand businesses
  • NZTE-approved managed funds in high-growth sectors

This option targets higher-risk investors who want minimum residency requirements and the lowest cost New Zealand Golden Visa in USD.

Balanced category

• Minimum investment threshold of NZD $10 million
• Five-year investment period
• 105-day stay requirement in New Zealand over five years 
• Qualifying investment: 
  • Direct equity investments in New Zealand businesses.
  • Managed funds
  • NZTE-approved managed funds in high-growth sectors
  • Listed equities on New Zealand’s Exchange (up to 50 percent)
  • Government and public-sector bonds
  • Philanthropic donations to approved charities (up to 50 percent)
  • Property development in new residential, commercial, or industrial projects

This option is designed for lower-risk investors who want a more diversified investment, while maintaining a path to gaining permanent residency and New Zealand Golden Visa citizenship.

Fees and costs

Besides the required investment of NZD $5 million or NZD $10 million, the New Zealand Golden Visa Program includes an application fee of NZD $27,470. Global investors must also consider legal fees and the cost of due diligence checks in their application.

New Zealand Golden Visa applicants must provide several documents to prove their identity and investment eligibility. Other documents may be requested, dependent on the category and who is included in the application.

• Valid passport
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Medical examination certificate
• Bank statements, tax returns, pay slips, or other proof of legitimate funds
• Marriage certificate or other proof of a stable relationship (if applicable)
• Child’s birth certificates or proof of legal custody (if applicable)

Post approval

Approved applicants must provide evidence of their investment within six months of approval.

All documents must be certified or apostilled and submitted in English or include a sworn English translation.

Global Citizen Solutions supports families throughout the process by coordinating compliance requirements and guiding applicants through each stage of the visa application.

1. Choose a category: With guidance from Global Citizen Solutions, choose between the Growth and Balanced categories.
2. Gather required documents: Global Citizen Solutions assists in gathering the necessary and supporting documents, including a valid passport, criminal record certificates, and proof of relationship to dependents.
3. Submit application: Global Citizen Solutions submits the application online to Immigration New Zealand (INZ). 
4. Pay government fee: The New Zealand Golden Visa application fee is NZD $27,470, which should be paid after the application is submitted.
5. Receive approval: INZ reviews the application and grants Approval in Principle, allowing the main applicant to make the required investment within six months.
6. Transfer investment funds: Global Citizen Solutions supports the transfer of capital into New Zealand to make the required investment in the selected category.
7. Complete the NZTD: Qualified investors and the family members must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) and submit it to travellerdeclaration.govt.nz at least 24 hours before arrival.
8. Become a resident: You can begin your legal residency in New Zealand and remain in the country indefinitely.

Processing time

The New Zealand Golden Visa processing time typically takes three to six months from submission to visa issuance, depending on the completeness of the documentation and the fund verification process.

The Active Investor Plus Visa is the lead New Zealand residence by investment program in 2026. It is aimed at wealthy investors looking to secure New Zealand permanent residency through flexible investment options.

Unlike the Business Investor Work Visa, New Zealand’s four-year Golden Visa through an Active Investment does not require applicants to establish and manage a business in New Zealand that creates jobs. Global Investors can make hands-off direct business investments in a Growth or Balanced category.

While digital nomads can work remotely in New Zealand with a Digital Nomad Visa, residency is temporary. The Active Investor Plus Visa allows approved applicants to live in the country indefinitely, providing a transition to citizenship and a New Zealand passport.

New Zealand Golden Visa holders are eligible for permanent residency and citizenship, provided they meet the naturalization residency requirements. Visa holders must maintain permanent resident status for five years and meet the following criteria to become naturalized citizens. 

• Stay at least 1,350 days in New Zealand during the five-year period. 
• Maintain a physical presence of at least 240 days per year. 
• Demonstrate good character and meet the basic English language requirement.