Applying for New Zealand's Golden Visa Streamlined into Four Steps [2025 Version]

New Zealand offers an attractive investment opportunity for those seeking a pathway to residency and eventual citizenship. The country's Golden Visa, known as the Active Investor Plus Visa, can be found on New Zealand's official immigration website.

The programme provides four investment options for applicants: listed equities, philanthropy, bonds issued by the New Zealand government, and investment in approved business ventures.

New Zealand's Golden Visa is comparable to Golden Visa programmes in countries like Portugal, Italy, Malta, and the UAE. These programmes offer residency through investment, with varying requirements and benefits. For instance, Portugal allows residency via business investments starting around €250,000 with citizenship after 5 to 10 years, while Italy requires investments of at least €250,000 without a mandatory stay, and the UAE offers a 10-year residency linked to real estate investments above AED 2 million.

The application process for the New Zealand Golden Visa is done online and may differ depending on the applicant's passport's nationality and location. Along with the application, applicants must submit a copy of their passport, passport photos, evidence of nominated funds, health check, criminal background checks, proof of relationship with spouse and dependents (if applicable), and pay a $7,780 NZD application fee.

Upon receiving approval in principle, applicants have six months to make their first investment of the total $7.5 million NZD (or the weighted equivalent) in the first 18 months of their visa. To maintain residency with the New Zealand Golden Visa, applicants must be present for at least 117 days out of the four-year visa term. However, if they wish to apply for citizenship, they must be present for at least 240 days every year for five years.

Applicants must also meet additional requirements such as being at least 18 years of age, being in good health, being a good person of character, speaking English, and proving their financial funds and status.

One unique aspect of the New Zealand Golden Visa is the flexibility it offers in investment options. Applicants may invest in managed funds with no limit to the amount, and a weight of $1 NZD is doubled when invested in managed funds, requiring only $7.5 million NZD to satisfy the investment requirement of $15 million NZD. When choosing the direct investment route, investors will have a triple weight to their $1 NZD, requiring only $5 million NZD to satisfy the investment requirement.

Obtaining the New Zealand Golden Visa puts applicants on a path to citizenship after meeting specific eligibility requirements. The visa allows applicants to include their spouses and children under the age of 24 in the application. The residence permit can transform into permanent residency in four years if the investment is maintained during this period.

New Zealand has been ranked as one of the safest, most secure, and least corrupt countries in the world. English is the official language of New Zealand, which may be beneficial for investors from English-speaking countries. During the entire four-year residence permit term, New Zealand Golden Visa holders must be physically present in the country for at least 117 days.

In conclusion, the New Zealand Golden Visa offers a lucrative opportunity for those seeking residency and eventual citizenship in a safe, secure, and English-speaking country. With flexible investment options and a straightforward application process, it is an attractive choice for investors worldwide.

Applying for New Zealand's Golden Visa Streamlined into Four Steps [2025 Version]