Best Immigration Lawyers for NZ Golden Visa: Active Investor Plus Specialists
Comprehensive guide to New Zealand's top immigration lawyers specializing in Active Investor Plus visa applications, including firm profiles, expertise comparison, and selection criteria for high-net-worth investors.
Securing New Zealand residency through the Active Investor Plus visa requires navigating complex immigration law, investment compliance, source-of-funds documentation, and coordination with multiple government agencies. The right immigration lawyer can be the difference between a straightforward approval and a costly rejection.
With the NZ$5-10 million investment requirement and the 491 applications received under the new April 2025 settings, the stakes are too high to navigate alone. This guide profiles New Zealand's leading immigration law firms specializing in investor visas and explains how to select the right counsel for your Golden Visa journey.
Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer for the Active Investor Plus Visa
Complex Legal Requirements
The Active Investor Plus visa involves multi-layered requirements including NZTE investment designation, Immigration NZ approval, character assessments, source-of-funds verification, and ongoing compliance obligations. A specialist lawyer ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
High-Stakes Investment
With a minimum NZ$5 million investment at stake plus government fees of NZ$27,470, mistakes are expensive. Expert lawyers minimize rejection risk and ensure your application is bulletproof from the start.
Integrated Support Beyond Immigration
Leading law firms offer full-service support including tax structuring, trust establishment, property acquisition, corporate setup, and wealth planning—ensuring your entire relocation is coordinated seamlessly.
Immigration Lawyer vs. Licensed Immigration Adviser
Immigration Lawyer
- 4 years law degree + admission to NZ Law Society
- Can handle complex matters: appeals, waivers, investor visas
- Can certify documents and provide legal opinions
- Access to broader commercial/property/tax legal expertise
Licensed Immigration Adviser
- 1-year Graduate Diploma in NZ Immigration Advice
- Limited to routine visa applications
- Cannot handle appeals or complex legal matters
- IAA licence required
For Active Investor Plus visas involving NZ$5-10 million investments, most applicants opt for a qualified immigration lawyer rather than a licensed adviser due to the complexity and stakes involved.
Top Immigration Law Firms for Active Investor Plus Visa
Lane Neave
Market LeaderRecognized as the market leader for investment and business-based visas in New Zealand. Lane Neave helped design the Active Investor Plus visa policy and now provides the leading service model for both Growth and Balanced categories.
Key Strengths
- Helped design the AIP visa policy
- Full-service model: immigration + commercial + property + wealth management
- National presence: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown
- Qualified immigration lawyers (not just licensed advisers)
- Handles bespoke solutions and complex structuring
Best For
- High-net-worth investors needing integrated legal services
- Complex investment structures requiring NZTE coordination
- Investors establishing businesses or trusts in NZ
Locations
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown
"Lane Neave's reputation as the leading counsel on active investment-based visa products is reinforced by a national legal capability that can address everything from visa applications to corporate structuring, asset planning and post-settlement compliance."
New Zealand Immigration Partners
(Formerly Malcolm Pacific Immigration)
Specialized immigration firm focused exclusively on investor and business visas. Now operating as New Zealand Immigration Partners, this firm offers personalized service with free initial consultations for Active Investor Plus visa applicants.
Key Strengths
- Free initial consultation + no-obligation quotation
- Licensed immigration lawyers specializing in investor visas
- Decades of experience with Malcolm Pacific legacy
- Transparent fee structure
Best For
- Investors seeking dedicated immigration-only counsel
- Those wanting clear, upfront cost expectations
- Applicants preferring boutique service over large firms
Queen City Law
Auckland
Auckland-based immigration specialist with a multilingual team offering services in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Tagalog, Indonesian, Russian, Spanish, and French. Strong relationships with Immigration New Zealand and personalized client-first approach.
Key Strengths
- Multilingual capability (8 languages)
- Client-first approach with strong INZ relationships
- Experience with waivers and complex investor requirements
- End-to-end support: eligibility to permanent residence
Best For
- Asian investors needing language support
- Investors with complex source-of-funds documentation
- Applicants requiring character waiver assistance
Location
Auckland
Harvey Law Group
International immigration law firm with 30+ years of expertise in investor visas. Partners with licensed financial advisers to provide integrated investment structuring and residency guidance.
Key Strengths
- 30+ years investor visa experience
- Investment structuring assistance with financial adviser partners
- Guidance on selecting qualifying investments
- International presence (serves US clients)
Best For
- US-based investors seeking NZ residency
- Investors needing help selecting NZTE-approved investments
- International families relocating from abroad
Duncan Cotterill
Large commercial law firm with dedicated immigration practice. Expertise in both Active Investor Plus visa and the newer Business Investor Visa (launched November 2025).
Key Strengths
- Business Investor Visa expertise
- Full-service commercial law firm capabilities
- Business acquisition and structuring support
Best For
- Investors considering Business Investor Visa (NZ$1-2M)
- Those purchasing existing NZ businesses
Quick Comparison Table
| Firm | Specialty | Locations | Unique Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lane Neave | AIP visa market leader | 4 cities nationwide | Helped design AIP policy |
| NZ Immigration Partners | Investor visa specialist | - | Free initial consultation |
| Queen City Law | Multilingual specialist | Auckland | 8 languages offered |
| Harvey Law Group | International practice | Global | 30+ years experience |
| Duncan Cotterill | Business Investor Visa | - | Business acquisition support |
How to Choose the Right Immigration Lawyer
1. Verify IAA Registration or Law Society Membership
Check the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) register or confirm they are a qualified lawyer with the NZ Law Society. This is non-negotiable—unlicensed advisers are illegal and often scams.
2. Confirm Active Investor Plus Visa Experience
Ask how many AIP visa applications they've handled, their success rate, and whether they work with NZTE on investment designation. The visa is complex—generic immigration experience isn't enough.
3. Seek Personal Referrals
Ask for referrals from other investors who have completed the same visa pathway. Real client testimonials are more valuable than marketing materials.
4. Evaluate Full-Service Capabilities
Consider whether you need integrated services: tax structuring, trust setup, property acquisition, banking connections. Full-service firms like Lane Neave can coordinate everything under one roof.
5. Get Clear, Written Fee Agreements
Reputable lawyers provide transparent, written engagement letters with clear fee schedules. Be wary of vague pricing or demands for large upfront cash payments.
6. Check Language and Communication Preferences
If English is not your first language, consider firms like Queen City Law with multilingual capability to ensure clear communication throughout the process.
Red Flags: Warning Signs of Immigration Scams
- Not on IAA Register or Law Society Roll
Always verify credentials. Unlicensed advisers are illegal and often fraudulent.
- Guaranteed Visa Promises
No legitimate lawyer can guarantee approval. Immigration decisions rest with Immigration NZ.
- Large Upfront Cash Payments
Reputable firms bill transparently. Be suspicious of demands for cash "processing fees" before work begins.
- Vague Source-of-Funds Guidance
For investor visas, proper source-of-funds documentation is critical. Advisers who dismiss this are unqualified.
- Only Showcases Successes, No Discussion of Refusals
Legitimate advisers acknowledge that refusals happen and explain mitigation strategies.
Understanding Immigration Lawyer Costs
Government Fees (Not Lawyer Fees)
The Active Investor Plus visa application fee is NZ$27,470 (as of 2026), payable to Immigration New Zealand. This is separate from lawyer fees.
Lawyer fees vary significantly based on firm size, complexity of your case, and scope of services. Expect to pay:
- NZ$15,000 - $30,000+ for full AIP visa application support from a qualified lawyer
- NZ$5,000 - $10,000 for licensed immigration advisers (routine applications only)
- Additional fees for trusts, tax structuring, property work (if using full-service firms)
Many firms (like NZ Immigration Partners) offer free initial consultations and provide no-obligation quotations before you commit. Always get clear, written fee agreements.
Next Steps: Finding Your Immigration Lawyer
- 1Verify IAA or Law Society credentials
Check the IAA register or NZ Law Society roll to confirm legitimacy
- 2Schedule consultations with 2-3 firms
Compare approaches, experience levels, and fee structures
- 3Ask about AIP visa track record
Request specific examples of successful investor visa applications
- 4Review written engagement letter carefully
Ensure scope of work, fees, and timelines are clearly documented
- 5Begin source-of-funds documentation early
Your lawyer will guide you through the comprehensive documentation required
Need help understanding the full Active Investor Plus visa process?
Related Articles
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Comprehensive guide to proving the lawful source of your investment funds for Immigration NZ.
Understanding NZTE's Role in Your Investment
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Compare New Zealand's top private banks for high-net-worth individuals and Golden Visa investors.
Active Investor Plus Visa Process
Complete step-by-step guide to the AIP visa application process and timeline.