BUSINESS/INVESTOR VISAS TO NEW ZEALAND

GENERAL (ACTIVE) INVESTOR VISA NEW ZEALAND

The General (Active) Investor visa is part of New Zealand's Active Investor Migrant Policy, which aims to attract investor migrants who have business experience, international connections and financial capital to contribute to New Zealand and support the country's economic growth.

NEW ZEALAND GENERAL (ACTIVE) INVESTOR VISA BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Applicants applying for residence under the General (Active) Investor Category must meet requirements set by Immigration New Zealand, including the normal health and good character requirements. Principal applicants must be aged 54 or younger and meet the minimum level of English language proficiency. Partners and dependants aged 16 and over, must also meet minimum English language requirements.

The principal applicant must have at least NZ$2.5 million to invest, and an additional NZ$1 million for settlement funds.

Once residence is approved investment funds need to be retained in an acceptable investment(s), for four years, and principal applicants need to spend at least 146 days in New Zealand annually in each of years 2, 3 and 4 of the investment period.

NEW ZEALAND GENERAL (ACTIVE) INVESTOR VISA ENTITLEMENTS

Persons approved under the General (Active) Investor Category will be given "conditional" permanent residence (subject to section18A of the Immigration Act 1987). This means that investment funds need to be retained in New Zealand for four years, and the principal applicant needs to spend 40 percent of each year (excluding the first year) in New Zealand. Once these requirements are met, residence will become 'unconditional' for all applicants.

A returning resident's visa (RRV) will also be issued allowing the holder to travel in and out of New Zealand for up to two years as a New Zealand resident. After two years, applicants may be eligible for an Indefinite RRV subject to meeting the relevant minimum residency requirements.

Permanent residents are entitled to the same rights and benefits as New Zealand citizens, including free access to public schools, subsidised tertiary education and other support, such as student loans, and subsidised public health services. Permanent residents may also apply for citizenship after satisfying the relevant residency requirements.

Another important benefit of permanent residence is the ability to sponsor close family members to New Zealand in the future.

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