The golden visa program in New Zealand is undergoing significant modifications. The administration wants to increase economic growth and draw in affluent investors. The updated visa streamlines investment categories and does away with the English language requirement.

Investors will have two choices under the Active Investor Plus visa as of April 1. Additionally, the initiative will expand the kinds of investments that are permitted. In Auckland, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford made the announcement. She underlined the necessity of increasing New Zealand's attractiveness to international investors.

New Investment Options for Investors

Two new categories will be included to the updated visa. A minimum investment of NZ$5 million spread over three years is required for the Growth category. Investors are required to invest in managed funds or businesses. Only 21 days must be spent in New Zealand.

The investment needed for the Balanced category is higher. Over a five-year period, a minimum investment of NZ$10 million is required. Bonds, stocks, new real estate projects, and commercial and industrial real estate are among the options available to investors. With a bigger investment, the mandatory stay of 105 days can be shortened.

In the past, New Zealand's investor visa program has been successful. On average, it brought in NZ$1 billion ($570 million) annually. However, a dramatic decline in applications resulted from regulation revisions in 2022. Since then, just 43 approvals worth NZ$545 million in investment pledges have been made. The real amount transferred, however, has been significantly less.

New Zealand's Competitive Edge in Global Investment

These modifications are being made by the government in an effort to draw in additional funding. In 2024, New Zealand's economy slowed. The nation is using reduced interest rates and updated foreign investment regulations to combat this. International fund managers will now receive assistance from a centralized agency. New Zealand also hopes to draw in highly qualified experts and remote workers.

Programs for investment visas are becoming more stringent in other nations. On April 3, Spain will terminate its golden visa program. Additionally, programs in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Greece, and Malta have become more stringent.

Due to abuse, Australia has discontinued the Significant Investor visa. Many affluent people made financial and real estate investments without making contributions to productive industries.

There are many benefits to the updated Active Investor Plus visa. The necessity to speak English has been lifted. With a potential six-month extension, investors will have six months to transfer and invest their money. The starting price for a visa is NZ$27,470 (about Rs 13 lakh). It is anticipated that 80% of applications will take seven months to process.

New Zealand is a place where successful applicants can live, work, and study. Their dependant children under the age of 24 and their partner may be included. After four years of holding their money in the nation, investors can also apply for permanent residence.

More information will be made public by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) in early March.

FAQS

How long do investors have to transmit their money after approval?

After receiving approval in principle, successful applicants have six months to transfer and invest funds. If necessary, they can request a six-month extension.

What is the difference between the investor visas in New Zealand and other nations?

Numerous nations have tightened or discontinued their investor visa policies, including Australia, Greece, Ireland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. By making its plan more flexible and investor-friendly, New Zealand is adopting the opposite strategy.