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The Active Investor Plus Visa is New Zealand's residence visa for investors. You invest at least NZD 5 million under the Growth category or NZD 10 million under the Balanced category and can then live, work and study in New Zealand. Checked against Immigration New Zealand on 6 November 2026.
Both categories give a resident visa that lets you live, work and study in New Zealand. The difference is how much you invest, for how long, and in what.
Focuses on higher-risk investments, including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. INZ notes these are typically illiquid and can need a commitment beyond the minimum period.
A mixed-investment category with the option to choose lower-risk investments, but a larger minimum amount, a longer period and more time in New Zealand.
Growth requires 21 days over 36 months. Balanced requires 105 days over 60 months, and you can reduce that by nominating extra funds to Growth category investments.
| Minimum nominated funds | Time you must spend in New Zealand |
|---|---|
| NZD 5 million (Growth category) | 21 days during the 36-month investment period |
| NZD 10 million (Balanced category) | 105 days during the 60-month investment period |
| NZD 11 million (extra NZD 1 million in acceptable Growth category investments) | 91 days |
| NZD 12 million (extra NZD 2 million in acceptable Growth category investments) | 77 days |
| NZD 13 million (extra NZD 3 million in acceptable Growth category investments) | 63 days |
What INZ requires from the investor and from anyone included in the application.
The stages INZ describes, from choosing a category to permanent residence.
Check the acceptable investment criteria before you commit funds. Direct investments and managed funds under Growth must be considered acceptable by Invest New Zealand.
Submit your application with a cover letter and evidence of your funds. INZ shows costs once you enter your country details.
INZ states that 80% of approvals in principle are decided within 11 weeks. You then have 6 months to transfer and invest your funds.
You can apply for a Specific Purpose Work Visa to travel to New Zealand and arrange this. A partner needs their own visitor visa and children can apply for student visas.
Once investment documents are provided, INZ reports an average of 36 working days to approve under the current settings (INZ news page, last updated 28 October 2026).
Keep the funds invested, show evidence at 24 months and at the end of the period within 3 months, complete the post investment questionnaire twice, then apply for the Permanent Resident Visa.
Fees, travel rights and the risks INZ itself points out.
INZ lists the visa cost from NZD 27,470. The exact amount depends on your country details, so check INZ's fee information before you budget. Investment funds are separate.
Travel in and out as a resident for 4 years (Growth) or 6 years (Balanced) from your first day in New Zealand. A Permanent Resident Visa then allows indefinite travel on a valid passport.
If you have not met all conditions at the end of the investment period, you may have to leave New Zealand.
INZ says an investment being acceptable for the visa is not an endorsement of it or a promise of its success. Take independent legal and financial advice before you invest.
Investing in New Zealand can have tax consequences. INZ recommends professional tax advice and points to Inland Revenue's guidance on tax residency.
INZ does not cover Indian remittance, foreign exchange or tax rules. Take advice from a chartered accountant and your bank before you commit funds.
Answers based on Immigration New Zealand pages checked on 6 November 2026.
Growth needs at least NZD 5 million invested for at least 36 months, in direct investments, managed funds or philanthropy (up to 20% of the total). Balanced needs at least NZD 10 million for at least 60 months, with a wider choice that includes listed equities, bonds and property developments. Growth carries higher investment risk. Balanced allows lower-risk choices but needs more time in New Zealand.
Growth investors must spend at least 21 days in New Zealand as a resident visa holder during the 36-month investment period. Balanced investors must spend at least 105 days during the 60-month period. For each extra NZD 1 million in acceptable Growth category investments, excluding philanthropy, the Balanced requirement drops by 14 days, up to a maximum reduction of 42 days, so NZD 13 million brings it to 63 days.
INZ's visa page lists no English language requirement, and its page on the 2025 changes says the requirement was removed from 1 April 2025. Documents that are not in English still need English translations. Check the live INZ page before you apply, because settings can change.
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children aged 24 and younger. Your partner must show a genuine and stable relationship and that you have lived together for at least 12 months. Children aged 21 to 24 need evidence they still rely on you financially. Included family must come to New Zealand within 12 months of their visas being granted.
You can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after 3 years under Growth or 5 years under Balanced, once you have met your conditions and had your section 49 conditions removed. If you have not met all conditions at the end of the investment period, you may have to leave New Zealand.
INZ states that 80% of approvals in principle are decided within 11 weeks and lists the visa cost from NZD 27,470, with the exact amount shown after you enter your country details. Once investment documents are provided, INZ reports an average of 36 working days to approve under the current settings. These are INZ figures, not a promise for any single application.
No. INZ says that Invest New Zealand finding an investment acceptable for this visa is not an endorsement of the investment or a promise of its success. Growth category investments are often illiquid and can need a long-term commitment beyond the minimum period. Do your own due diligence and take independent legal and financial advice.
This page is based on the Immigration New Zealand pages below, all opened on 6 November 2026. It is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so confirm current requirements before you act.
Our experts will walk you through the Growth and Balanced categories, the evidence INZ expects for your funds, and the timeline before you commit capital.
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