New Zealand Golden Visa Shines Brightly

New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa, also known as the “Golden Visa”, has undergone a resurgence in popularity since the new settings came into effect on 1 April 2025. Designed to attract high-value investor migrants who actively contribute to New Zealand’s economic development, the AIP visa is now delivering on expectations.

The AIP provides two investment pathways: the Growth category, requiring a minimum $5 million investment over three years into NZ Trade & Enterprise approved businesses and managed funds which invest in businesses; and the Balanced category, requiring $10 million investment over five years, allowing for a broader mix of investments including bonds, listed equities, philanthropy, limited property options, as well as Growth category investments.

As of 20 July 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 236 AIP applications, with 184 applications in the Growth category and 52 in the Balanced category. These numbers reflect a potential minimum investment of NZD $1.43 billion, and a significant injection of capital into the New Zealand economy. To date 133 applications have been approved in principle, and 20 applicants have transferred investment funds totaling NZ$120 million and have already been issued their resident visas. The average processing time to approval in principle is just 14 working days (we have also seen approvals in just 3 days), which is testament to the efficient processing and priority INZ is affording AIP applications.

Applicants are from 21 countries with the USA (105 applications) being the main source country, followed by China (33), Hong Kong (27), Germany (19) and Singapore (11).

Several factors are contributing to the early success of the AIP. These include the ongoing global uncertainty and conflicts, the streamlined application process, flexible residency requirements, and the permanent residency outcome on completion of the investment period together with the lack of comparable investor visa options from other countries. Interestingly, the majority of Pathways’ AIP clients to date are actively managing their own investments, or are working as investment managers, which further evidences the global attractiveness of the AIP.

Looking ahead, however, there are challenges the AIP will need to navigate. Ensuring that investments translate into tangible economic benefits will require careful coordination and collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. Most importantly there is the need to identify and structure high-quality investment opportunities that align with New Zealand’s strategic priorities and that these are safeguarded and maximized for both the AIP applicant, and for New Zealand. The opportunity for infrastructure investment is obvious and while this is likely to require a longer time-frame AIP applicants may well be amenable to this. There are also options for establishing regional investment hubs, enhancing investor education and support, and fostering public-private partnerships that connect investors with scalable ventures. The AIP is very much NZ’s flagship visa policy and to maintain momentum and to ensure long-term success the policy must be continuously refined in response situations as these arise, and to continue to be given priority processing focus by INZ.

In conclusion, the Active Investor Plus visa is proving to be a powerful tool for New Zealand’s economic growth and engagement. With continued leadership, foresight and collaboration, New Zealand can now realise the potential of its own “golden visa” to build a more prosperous, innovative, and globally connected future.

NB: Richard Howard, Pathways® Managing Director, will be travelling to New York, Los Angeles & San Francisco with NZTE and the Minister of Immigration, Hon Erica Stanford, in September to promote the AIP visa.