The New Zealand Investor Plus visa, also know as the Investor 1 Category visa, provides a quick and easy pathway for investors with a minimum of NZ $10 million in investment funds to gain permanent residence in New Zealand. Applicants for the Investor Plus visa do no have to submit an Expression of Interest, and can instead apply for residence directly.
Investors who wish to nominate less than NZ $10 million for investment can instead apply under the Investor (Investor 1 Category) visa. Please see our Investor visa page for more details.
Basic requirements
The basic requirements for Investor Plus visa applicants are extremely light. There are no age, English language, or business experience requirements, but some other conditions are in place. In order to be granted a visa applicants must:
Have at least NZ $10 million in available investment funds and/or assets
Spend at least 46 days per year in New Zealand during the final 2 years of the investment period (see below for further details)
Be of good health and character
Investment funds
Applicants must have a minimum of NZ $10 million of investment funds. These funds must be:
Solely owned by the applicant, or collectively owned by the applicant and their partner and/or dependent children
Available for immediate investment; not subject to mortgages, charges, encumbrances, or creditor claims, or tied up in securities, loans, or other agreements
Legally earned or acquired
Available for transfer to New Zealand through banking or a foreign exchange company
Not intended for personal use, such as buying a home
If transferred through a foreign exchange company, evidence of the following must be provided:
That the funds were transferred to the foreign exchange company directly from the applicant's bank account(s)
The funds are fully traceable
The funds were transferred in any way that is in keeping with New Zealand law
The foreign exchange company has no history of fraud or financial impropriety
Expression of interest and residence approval
Applicants apply directly for residence, rather than submitting an Expression of Interest. If the application is approved in principal applicants are then then granted a 12 month multiple-entry work visa, which can be extended for a further 6 months in necessary, in order to research opportunities and conduct their investment in New Zealand. Partners and children can also be included on the work visa.
Applicants may then be granted residence after the applicant has:
Transferred their investment funds and invested them in New Zealand
Provided details of a New Zealand mailing address
Paid a migrant levy, if applicable
Further Information, help, and advice
Workpermit.com has over twenty years of experience helping people immigrate to countries all over the World. Whether you wish to visit, work, or study in New Zealand our specialist team of immigration experts can help you with one to one advice, information, and representation when applying for your New Zealand visa or work permit.
For more information and advice on New Zealand immigration law and visa applications please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com
