Residency by investment
The New Zealand
golden visa, explained.
New Zealand's golden visa is officially the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa: NZ$5M invested for 3 years, or NZ$10M for 5 years, with as few as 21 days required in the country.
The two categories at a glance
| Growth | Balanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | NZ$5 million | NZ$10 million |
| Investment period | 36 months (3 years) | 60 months (5 years) |
| Days in New Zealand | At least 21 | At least 105 (reducible to 63) |
| Qualifying assets | Direct investments, NZTE-listed managed funds, philanthropy (≤20%) | Growth assets plus listed equities, bonds, qualifying property developments |
Source: Immigration New Zealand, Active Investor Plus visa requirements (settings in force since April 2025, verified July 2026). Balanced-category days reduce by 14 per additional NZ$1M placed in Growth assets, to a maximum 42-day reduction.
Why you won't find “golden visa” on any NZ government page
Portugal, Greece and Spain made “golden visa” the household name for residency-by-investment. New Zealand runs the same concept under a different label: the Active Investor Plus visa, administered by Immigration New Zealand with investment vetting by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). If you have been comparing golden visa programmes internationally, AIP is the New Zealand entry — a residence-class visa granted against qualifying investment, with one of the lightest physical-presence requirements of any comparable programme.
The distinctive design choice is the two-track structure. The Growth category prices residency at NZ$5 million but requires the capital to work harder — direct investments or NZTE-listed managed funds targeting growth-stage New Zealand businesses, held for 36 months. The Balanced category doubles the capital to NZ$10 million in exchange for a wider, more conservative asset palette — listed equities, bonds and qualifying property developments — held for 60 months.
Where the money can go
Most golden-visa investors use managed funds rather than direct deals — the fund manager handles sourcing, governance and reporting, and NZTE pre-vets listed funds for programme eligibility. The official NZTE Acceptable Managed Funds list spans venture capital, private equity, private credit and growth-oriented vehicles; our AIP-eligible funds directory reproduces the list and links each fund to its manager profile, minimum investment and asset class. Direct investments are also permitted with evidence of active management and arm's-length terms, and philanthropy can contribute up to 20% of a Growth-category total.
What does not count: bank deposits, and residential property held for personal use. Property participates only through the Balanced category's development routes — new residential, commercial or industrial developments, or existing commercial and industrial property.
Tax: the 48-month window that shapes sequencing
New arrivals who become New Zealand tax residents for the first time generally qualify as transitional residents — a 48-month exemption from New Zealand tax on most foreign-sourced income under section HR 8 of the Income Tax Act 2007. The Growth category's 36-month investment period can complete inside that window if capital is deployed promptly; the Balanced category's 60-month period always outlasts it. Our cited guides on the FIF regime and the HR 8 exemption and the Overseas Investment Act cover the sequencing traps in detail.
Important caveats
Visa settings change — the current framework took effect in April 2025 and NZTE updates its fund list without notice. This page is informational only and is not immigration, tax or financial advice; confirm current requirements at immigration.govt.nz and nzte.govt.nz, and engage a licensed immigration adviser. The funds listed on this site are wholesale offers under Schedule 1 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 — they carry higher risk and fewer regulatory protections than retail products, returns are targets rather than guarantees, and capital is at risk.
New Zealand golden visa FAQs
Does New Zealand have a golden visa?
Yes. New Zealand's residency-by-investment programme is officially called the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa — "golden visa" is the informal international term. Under the settings in force since April 2025, investors gain New Zealand residency by investing NZ$5 million in approved growth investments for 36 months (Growth category) or NZ$10 million across a wider asset pool for 60 months (Balanced category).
How much does the New Zealand golden visa cost?
The investment threshold is NZ$5 million for the Growth category (held for 36 months) or NZ$10 million for the Balanced category (held for 60 months). This is an investment, not a fee — the capital is deployed into qualifying New Zealand assets and remains yours, subject to investment risk. Immigration New Zealand application fees and professional advice costs apply on top.
How long do I have to stay in New Zealand for the golden visa?
Physical presence requirements are modest compared with most residency-by-investment programmes: at least 21 days in New Zealand across the 36-month Growth investment period, or at least 105 days across the 60-month Balanced period. Balanced applicants can reduce the 105 days by 14 days for each additional NZ$1 million invested in Growth-category assets, to a maximum reduction of 42 days.
What investments qualify for the New Zealand golden visa?
Growth category: direct investments into New Zealand businesses, managed funds on the NZTE Acceptable Managed Funds list, and philanthropy (capped at 20% of the total). Balanced category adds listed equities, bonds, and qualifying property developments (new residential, commercial or industrial developments, or existing commercial and industrial property). Bank deposits and residential property for personal use do not qualify.
Is the Active Investor Plus visa the same as the New Zealand golden visa?
Yes — they are the same visa. Active Investor Plus (AIP) is the official Immigration New Zealand name; "golden visa" is the informal term used internationally for residency-by-investment programmes. The AIP replaced New Zealand's earlier Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories, and its current two-category settings took effect in April 2025.
Can my family be included in a New Zealand golden visa application?
The Active Investor Plus visa is a residence-class visa, and a partner and dependent children can be included in the application. Immigration New Zealand assesses the family members against standard health and character requirements. Confirm current inclusion criteria with Immigration New Zealand or a licensed immigration adviser.
Next step
See the funds behind the golden visa.
Every NZTE-approved managed fund, with minimum investments, asset classes and manager profiles in one directory.