What Is the New Zealand Golden Visa and Who Is Eligible?
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If you’ve heard the phrase New Zealand Golden Visa, you’re not alone. The New Zealand Golden Visa is the popular name for the official Active Investor Plus residence route. In simple words, the New Zealand Golden Visa lets people with large, lawfully-sourced money invest in New Zealand and, if they meet the rules, gain residency for themselves and eligible family members. This article explains the New Zealand Golden Visa in plain English, who can apply, how the process works, what counts as an acceptable investment, and practical tips so you leave with no doubts.
A short definition
The New Zealand Golden Visa (officially the Active Investor Plus Visa) is for people who can invest significant funds in New Zealand. If your application is approved and you meet the conditions, the New Zealand Golden Visa lets you live, work and study in New Zealand, and usually include your partner and dependent children in the same application. The core aim of the New Zealand Golden Visa is to attract experienced investors who bring capital and business know-how into the country.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility for the New Zealand Golden Visa depends on three main things: the size of your investment, proof that the money came from legal sources, and basic character and health checks.
- Investment amount: There are two main paths. The Growth route needs a minimum investment of NZD $5 million held in acceptable New Zealand investments for 3 years. The Balanced route requires NZD $10 million held for 5 years. These are the headline thresholds, and the exact rules about the types of investments are set by Immigration New Zealand.
- Lawful funds: You must show where your money came from. That means bank statements, tax records, sale agreements or business records. Poor paperwork here is one of the most common reasons applications stall.
- Health and character: The usual police checks and medical checks apply. Immigration officials will confirm you are fit to be granted residency.
- Family: Partners and dependent children can usually be included, so the whole family can move if residency is granted.
What counts as an “acceptable investment”?
Acceptable investments are defined by the rules for the Active Investor Plus program. The Growth category focuses on higher-risk, active investments such as managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. The Balanced category allows a broader mix — including some bonds, listed shares, approved donations and certain property development investments — but each type needs to meet the program’s specific rules. Professional advice helps here because not every fund or property counts.
How the application works — step by step
- Gather documents — identity, bank and business papers, and evidence of how you earned the money.
- Apply online to Immigration New Zealand and pay the fees.
- Approval in principle — if the evidence looks good, you’ll get approval in principle and instructions about moving funds.
- Transfer and hold investments in qualifying New Zealand investments for the required period (3 or 5 years).
- Meet residency days — some categories require you to spend a minimum number of days in New Zealand during the investment period.
- Final residence grant — after you meet the conditions, you can be granted residency through the New Zealand Golden Visa route. For up-to-date process details, always check official pages.
How this is different from NZeTA or a visitor visa
Short visits and residency are very different. The New Zealand Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program. By contrast, the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) is a short-stay travel permission for tourists or some transit passengers. If you plan to visit New Zealand before or while you prepare for the New Zealand Golden Visa, you may need to Submit NZeTA Online using the official NZeTA site or app. After you apply for an NZeTA, you can also check your NZeTA Visa Status online. These systems are separate: one is for short visits, the other is for long-term residency.
Recent changes and public reaction
The New Zealand Golden Visa program was relaxed in 2025. The government lowered the minimum thresholds from much higher levels to the current NZD $5 million (Growth) and NZD $10 million (Balanced) levels and changed some residency and other rules to attract more investment. This led to wider public interest and a noticeable rise in applications from overseas investors. News outlets and professional advisers discussed how the policy shift aims to boost investment and jobs, but it also prompted debate about housing and fairness. If you’re thinking about the New Zealand Golden Visa, read the very latest reports and official guidance because rules and practical details can change.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not proving the origin of funds clearly.
- Moving money before getting the right approvals.
- Overlooking residency-day requirements.
- Assuming rules won’t change — immigration programs can shift with new policy decisions.
Simple, human advice
If the New Zealand Golden Visa sounds right for you, start small: get a short chat with a licensed immigration adviser and a tax expert who knows cross-border rules. Gather clear evidence of your funds now — bank and tax records are lifesavers later. If you need to visit, Submit NZeTA Online if it applies to your country, and check your NZeTA Visa Status while you travel. Finally, read the official Active Investor Plus pages and use professional help for the investments you plan to make.