Active Investor Plus Visa overview
The Active Investor Plus Visa category incentivises direct investment and encourages greater economic benefit to New Zealand.
Last update: 23 January 2026
The Active Investor Plus Visa category is intended to attract investors who take an active role in helping companies access global knowledge networks, capital, and markets. The visa is designed to generate higher business productivity and job growth.
Between September 2022 and 31 March 2025, under the previous visa settings Immigration New Zealand (INZ) have received 115 applications for 362 applicants. An application may have multiple applicants including partners and dependent children.
Of the 115 applications received, 46 applications had been approved for a resident visa, 13 were withdrawn by the applicant and 33 were granted approval in principle.
New visa settings launched 1 April 2025
On 1 April 2025, changes were made to simplify the investment process, including the introduction of 2 investment categories.
As of 19 January 2026, INZ has received 532 applications under the new settings for 1,709 applicants, 100 in the Balanced category and 432 in the Growth category.
Of the 532 applications received, 50 applications are from applicants transitioning an existing application to the new settings and 482 applications are new applications. No further applicants are eligible to transition an existing application to the new settings.
These applications amount to a potential total minimum investment of NZD $3.16 billion.
392 applications have been approved in principle, 68 in the Balanced category and 324 in the Growth category. INZ has processed 6 withdrawal requests.
134 applications are still being assessed.
The average time for an application under the new settings to be approved in principle is 33 working days.
As of 19 January 2026, 159 applications have been approved and applicants have been granted resident visas, 34 in the balanced category and 125 in the growth category. The total committed investment from these applications amounts to $926.2 million (rounded) into New Zealand’s economy. The majority of the investments to date have been into Invest New Zealand approved managed funds, and bonds.
| Nationality | Applications received | Number of people |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | 2 | 10 |
| Belgium | 1 | 4 |
| Canada | 3 | 10 |
| China | 86 | 283 |
| Czech Republic | 1 | 7 |
| Finland | 2 | 6 |
| France | 1 | 4 |
| Germany | 37 | 145 |
| Great Britain | 8 | 18 |
| Grenada | 1 | 3 |
| Hong Kong | 69 | 226 |
| Iceland | 1 | 1 |
| Indonesia | 1 | 5 |
| Ireland | 1 | 4 |
| Japan | 13 | 42 |
| Malaysia | 1 | 2 |
| Malta | 1 | 2 |
| Netherlands | 6 | 20 |
| Philippines | 1 | 3 |
| Poland | 1 | 4 |
| Romania | 1 | 2 |
| Russia | 3 | 12 |
| Singapore | 26 | 97 |
| South Africa | 1 | 2 |
| South Korea | 13 | 38 |
| Spain | 1 | 6 |
| Switzerland | 6 | 18 |
| Taiwan | 26 | 84 |
| Tonga | 1 | 4 |
| Turkey | 1 | 4 |
| Ukraine | 1 | 2 |
| United States of America | 201 | 581 |
| Vietnam | 13 | 56 |
| Total | 532 | 1,709 |
Changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa
Changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa included the introduction of 2 investment categories:
- Growth category: focuses on higher-risk investments, including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. It will require a minimum investment of NZD $5 million for a minimum period of 3 years.
- Balanced category: focuses on mixed investments, with the ability to choose ones that are lower risk. There will be a minimum investment of NZD $10 million over 5 years.
Other changes included:
- reducing the minimum investment amount from NZD $15 million (or weighted equivalent) to NZD $5 million for Growth and NZD $10 million for Balanced category investors
- broadening the scope of acceptable investments to include bond and property-type investments for Balanced category investors
- removing the English language requirement
- fewer immigration requirements, for migrants who choose more active investments, such as reducing the time required to be spent in New Zealand.
Read more information on the changes, and what options are available for current Active Investor Plus Visa applicants.
Investor category update provides attractive investment options
Applications under the Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas are no longer accepted. All applications currently in progress with INZ will continue to be processed.
Article form: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/investor-category/