New Zealand Revises Golden Visa Rules to Attract More Investors

New Zealand has announced major changes to its Golden Visa program, aiming to attract a broader range of foreign investors. These reforms, effective from April 1, 2025, simplify the process, lower investment thresholds, and ease immigration conditions. The revised system replaces the Active Investor Plus Visa with two new categories: Growth and Balanced. revamps

New Investment Categories

Under the new regulations, foreign nationals will be able to apply for residency through two distinct pathways. The Growth Category requires a minimum investment of NZD 5 million over three years, aimed at higher-risk ventures, including direct investments into New Zealand businesses. On the other hand, the Balanced Category demands a larger investment of NZD 10 million over five years, allowing for investments in lower-risk assets such as property and bonds. This marks the first time that property investment is permitted under the investor visa rules, although it comes with specific conditions.

Flexibility in Investment Options

The Balanced Category offers flexibility by allowing investments in new residential developments that contribute to the housing supply, as well as new or existing commercial and industrial projects. Bond investments are also now accepted, providing more variety compared to the previous program that focused mainly on direct business investments.

Reduced Residency Requirements

Residency requirements have been greatly liberalised to make it easier for investors to come to New Zealand. In the case of an applicant in the Growth Category, that person needs to have spent only 21 days in New Zealand within a three-year period for investment purposes. Balanced Category applicants will now have to spend a minimum of 105 days in New Zealand over five years, although this period may also be considerably reduced based on total investment amounts, offering a much higher degree of flexibility.

Within six months of being granted approval, an applicant must make the investment, streamlining this procedure to make it even more straightforward.

Key Benefits & Changes

The Golden Visa program in New Zealand brings the benefits of reduced investment thresholds, a six-month processing time, and the removal of the English language requirement. The program aims to attract high-net-worth individuals to contribute to the country’s economic growth and supports key sectors like housing, infrastructure, and innovation. The program also offers a flexible residency path for investors.

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