New Zealand is looking to attract high-value investors with a new visa. The Active Investor Plus visa will replace the existing Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories. It will encourage active investment and cap passive investments in listed equities to 50%, while excluding bonds and property.
The new visa will also require migrants to spend more time in the country. This will give them the opportunity to become more involved with their investments and share their expertise with local companies.
Minimum Investment Requirements
The minimum investment under the new Active Investor Plus visa category is $15 million NZD, of which 50% may be invested in passive investments like listed equities. The remaining investments are required to be placed in growth investments.
These include a range of different options, including direct investments that give investors the opportunity to connect with local businesses. They also provide the option to support philanthropic efforts. Growth investments may also include holding investments (deposits with a New Zealand registered bank) and exchange-traded funds. Bonds and property are excluded from the list of acceptable investments under the new criteria.
Applicants must show that their nominated funds and assets were lawfully earned, which can usually be demonstrated through official documents such as tax records. They must also prove that they are of good character and health. If they meet these requirements, and spend at least 117 days in New Zealand over the three-year investment period and four-year visa period, they will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Time-in-Country Requirements
As part of the Active Investor Plus visa, you are required to be in New Zealand for a minimum of two years. This is to show that you are committed to staying here and are able to support yourself financially. You will also need to have strong ties to the country, such as a permanent home and business connections.
To qualify for the visa, you must also demonstrate that your funds have been earned lawfully. This can be done through bank statements, title deeds, property/asset valuations, shares certificates or business ownership documents. You will need to provide proof that the money you are investing has been earned from legitimate sources, such as tax returns, pay slips, business shareholdings, dividends, receipts of property sales or bank certificates.
This visa is an improvement on the old investment categories, which often saw migrants invest in passive investments such as bonds and property, rather than New Zealand businesses. The new system incentivises active investments by granting them a higher weighting and capping passive investment in listed equities at 50%, while excluding bonds and property from the category altogether.
Family Requirements
The New Zealand Investor Visa provides a flexible pathway to permanent residency for wealthy individuals and families. It also allows the family members of a successful applicant to work in New Zealand. This visa is a great option for high impact entrepreneurs, investors and start-up teams who have the capability to create scalable businesses in New Zealand.
The Active Investor Plus Visa requires a capital investment of at least $15 million. Acceptable investments include bonds issued by the government and local authorities, firms traded on the New Zealand debt securities market, and equity in New Zealand public or private companies. Growth investments carry a higher weighting than bonds and philanthropic investments.
After three years of investing and residing in New Zealand, the investor can apply for a resident visa. The visa can be supported by family members, including spouses and children. Those aged 16 and over must meet English language requirements or pre-purchase ESOL tuition to ensure they have the skills necessary to work in New Zealand.
Application Process
The process of getting an investor visa NZ can take a while. Immigration officials will check the status of your investment regularly, especially if it’s a large sum of money. You’ll also have to provide proof that your investment funds are lawfully earned. This could include tax returns, bank statements, business shareholdings, property evaluations and title deeds.
The new Active Investor Plus visa replaced the old Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories. It’s designed to attract value investors who will help grow the economy of New Zealand. Applicants must invest NZ$10 million and have three years of business experience. They must meet health and character requirements and be able to speak English to a basic level.
The first step of the application process is to submit an Expression of Interest. Every fortnight Immigration New Zealand selects Expressions of Interest that meet the points requirement. Those selected will be invited to apply for a residence visa.