Also known as the Investor 2 Category visa, the New Zealand Investor visa allows experienced business people to gain permanent residence while investing at least NZ $1.5 million over a 4 year period. Applicants for the Investor visa must be no older than 65, have a minimum 3 years of business experience, and meet various investment criteria detailed below. Investment visas are subject to a limit of 300 per year.
Investors with NZ $10 million or more in funds can also apply for the Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) visa, which has fewer restrictions and eligibility requirements.
Basic requirements
Basic requirements for Investor visa applicants include:
Having at least NZ $1.5 million in investment funds or assets
Having at least NZ $1 million in personal settlement funds or assets
Being 65 or younger
Scoring at least 20 points on the New Zealand Investor 2 Category points test
Meeting the English language requirement, this means having English language background or proficiency, such as citizenship of an English speaking country, or:
A certificate showing an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test score of 3 or more, or;
Other proof of English proficiency, such as holding a University degree that was taught in English
Spending at least 146 days per year in New Zealand during the final 3 years of the investment period (see below for further details)
Being of good health and character
Points
In order for an applicant's Expression of Interest to be considered they must score at least 20 points on the New Zealand Investor 2 Category points test. Higher scores increase the chance of the application being approved.
Full details of the New Zealand Investor 2 Category points system can be found on our Investor visa (investor 2 category) points system page.
Investment and settlement funds
Applicants must have a minimum of NZ $1.5 million of investment funds and NZ $1 million of personal settlement 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
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 first apply by submitting an Expression of Interest. If the Expression of Interest is successful the application can be approved in principle. 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
Arranged for any family members included on the application to take English language tuition if they did not initially meet the visa's English language requirement
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
