Investor 1 residence Visa

You must keep NZD $10 million invested in an acceptable investment in New Zealand for 3 years.

We’ll ask for evidence you have kept your funds invested at the end of the second and third years you’re in New Zealand.

You’ll have 3 months to provide the evidence.

It’s OK to transfer funds between acceptable investments.

If you already have funds invested in New Zealand when you apply for residence, we can start your investment period from the time we approve your application in principle.

Acceptable investment criteria

For an investment to be acceptable to us, it must:

Be able to make a commercial return

Be invested in New Zealand

Be invested in New Zealand dollars

Be invested in lawful enterprises or managed funds

Have the potential to contribute to New Zealand’s economy

Not be for your personal use, e.g. your home, boat, or car.

Investments must be in one or more of the following:

Bonds issued by the New Zealand government or local authorities

Bonds issued by New Zealand firms traded on the New Zealand Debt Securities Market (NZDX)

Bonds issued by New Zealand firms with at least a BBB- or equivalent rating from internationally recognised credit rating agencies, e.g. Standard and Poor’s

Bonds issued by New Zealand registered banks

Bonds in finance companies

Equity in New Zealand firms – these can be public or private

Equities in New Zealand registered banks

Residential property development

Eligible New Zealand venture capital funds.

Investor 2 Resident Visa

Experienced business people who have a minimum of NZ $2.5 million in available funds or assets can apply for New Zealand residence. Before you can apply, we’ll first need you to send us an Expression of Interest telling us about your business experience, investment and settlement funds. If your Expression of Interest is successful we’ll invite you and your partner and dependent children to apply for New Zealand residence.

Acceptable investment criteria

For an investment to be acceptable to us, it must:

Be able to make a commercial return

Be invested in New Zealand

Be invested in New Zealand dollars

Be invested in lawful enterprises or managed funds

Have the potential to contribute to New Zealand’s economy

Not be for your personal use, e.g. your home, boat, or car.

Investments must be in one or more of the following:

Bonds issued by the New Zealand government or local authorities

Bonds issued by New Zealand firms traded on the New Zealand Debt Securities Market (NZDX)

Bonds issued by New Zealand firms with at least a BBB- or equivalent rating from internationally recognised credit rating agencies, e.g. Standard and Poor’s

Bonds issued by New Zealand registered banks

Bonds in finance companies

Equity in New Zealand firms – these can be public or private

Equities in New Zealand registered banks

Residential property development

Eligible New Zealand venture capital funds.