NZ Golden Visa Changelog
A comprehensive timeline documenting the evolution of New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa programme. Track policy changes, investment threshold adjustments, and requirement updates from inception to present.
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Showing 14 of 14 updates
Minister Stanford Announces 573 Applications, NZ$3.39B Pipeline
February 2026
Immigration Minister announces updated programme figures: 573 total applications, NZ$3.39 billion committed, and NZ$1.05 billion already deployed into the New Zealand economy.
Key Changes:
- 573 total applications received (up from 491 in December 2025)
- NZ$3.39 billion total investment pipeline (up from NZ$2.91B)
- NZ$1.05 billion already deployed into the NZ economy (up from NZ$771M)
- Minor changes announced around infrastructure investment
- 3 new funds approved by Invest NZ for infrastructure investments
- Government confirms no plans to lower investment thresholds
- Key source countries: USA, Germany, Southeast Asia, China
- Property buying since OIA reforms has not caused 'massive peaks'
OIA Property Reforms Take Effect
6 March 2026
Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 comes into force, enabling AIP visa holders to purchase residential property valued at NZ$5M+ with streamlined 5-day OIO processing.
Key Changes:
- AIP visa holders can now purchase existing residential property valued at NZ$5M or more
- 5-day target for OIO consent processing for qualifying purchases
- Single national interest test consolidates previous fragmented assessment framework
- Revised OIA purpose statement broadens investment facilitation scope
- Property must be used as primary residence; rental/development restrictions apply
- Streamlined pathway removes major barrier for investor families relocating to NZ
Property Rights Legislation Passed; 491 Applications Reached
December 2025
Parliament passes the Overseas Investment Amendment Act enabling NZ$5M+ home purchases. Programme reaches 491 applications and NZ$2.91B pipeline with 129 resident visas granted.
Key Changes:
- Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 passed 12 December
- 491 applications received; NZ$2.91 billion investment pipeline
- 129 resident visas granted (99 Growth category, 30 Balanced category)
- Average 31 working days to Approval in Principle
- 1,571 people covered (investors plus family members)
- NZ$771 million already deployed into the economy
- Law scheduled to come into force 6 March 2026
Business Investor Work Visa Launched
November 2025
New Business Investor Work Visa pathway opens on 24 November 2025, offering NZ$1M and NZ$2M investment routes into established New Zealand businesses as a complement to the AIP programme.
Key Changes:
- NZ$1M pathway: 3-year work-to-residence visa investing in an established NZ business
- NZ$2M pathway: 12-month fast-track to residence visa
- Investments must be in established New Zealand businesses (not startups)
- Complements rather than replaces the Active Investor Plus programme
- Opens new pathway for investors below AIP NZ$5M threshold
- Previous milestone: 443 applications under AIP settings totaling NZ$2.635 billion
Major Programme Reform: Growth and Balanced Categories Introduced
April 2025
Significant simplification of the Active Investor Plus Visa with reduced investment thresholds, two new categories, and removal of English language requirements.
Key Changes:
- Growth Category: NZ$5M minimum investment over 3 years in higher-risk assets (managed funds, direct investments)
- Balanced Category: NZ$10M minimum investment over 5 years in mixed portfolio (bonds, equities, property development, Growth investments)
- Investment thresholds reduced from previous NZ$15M minimum
- English language requirement removed entirely
- Growth Category physical presence: only 21 days over 3 years required
- Balanced Category physical presence: 105 days over 5 years (reducible to 63 days with higher Growth investment)
- Property investments now allowed (limited to new residential or commercial/industrial development)
- Bonds now acceptable in Balanced category (government, local government, corporate)
- Investment completion timeframe: 6 months from Approval in Principle (one-off 6-month extension available)
- Applicants can change investment category once
- Investment retention checkpoints at 24 and 36/60 months
Active Investor Plus Visa Launched
September 2022
Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories replaced with single Active Investor Plus visa to encourage more direct, active investment in New Zealand businesses.
Key Changes:
- Single visa category replaces Investor 1 (NZ$10M) and Investor 2 (NZ$3M) categories
- Minimum investment: NZ$15M (or weighted equivalent with direct investment credits)
- Weighting system rewards direct investments with lower minimum thresholds
- Investment period: 3 years with maintenance until end of year 4
- Residency requirement: 117 days over 4 years
- English language requirement introduced: IELTS 5.0 or equivalent
- Bonds and property investments no longer permitted
- Passive listed equity investments capped at 50% of portfolio
- Minimum 50% in direct or growth investments required
- Age limit removed
Investor 1 and Investor 2 Categories Closed
July 2022
Government closes existing investor visa categories to new applications ahead of programme overhaul.
Key Changes:
- Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories closed to new applications
- Applications in progress continue to be processed under old rules
- Programme review focuses on attracting active rather than passive investment
- Criticism of previous categories allowing low-benefit passive investments
Investor 2 Threshold Doubled
May 2017
Investor 2 category minimum investment increased from NZ$1.5M to NZ$3M to better reflect economic contribution.
Key Changes:
- Investor 2 minimum investment increased from NZ$1.5M to NZ$3M
- Investor 1 category maintained at NZ$10M
- Growth investment requirements strengthened
- More focus on productive investments
Residential Property Excluded from Acceptable Investments
July 2016
Residential property removed as acceptable investment category to address housing affordability concerns.
Key Changes:
- Residential property investment no longer qualifies
- Increased focus on business and growth investments
- New Zealand business investments prioritized
- Commercial property still acceptable under certain conditions
Expression of Interest System Introduced for Investor 2
November 2014
Points-based EOI system implemented for Investor 2 category to select highest-quality applicants.
Key Changes:
- EOI system with points-based ranking introduced
- Factors: age, business experience, investment amount, bonus points
- Regular selection rounds from EOI pool
- Investor 1 category remains direct application (no EOI)
Residency Day Requirements Clarified
March 2013
Specific guidelines published for calculating physical presence requirements in New Zealand.
Key Changes:
- Investor 2: 146 days per year over investment period
- Travel day counting methodology clarified
- Extensions criteria for extenuating circumstances defined
- Compliance monitoring procedures formalized
Enhanced Source of Funds Verification
July 2011
Stricter requirements introduced to verify legitimate source and ownership of investment funds.
Key Changes:
- Enhanced documentation requirements for fund origins
- Third-party verification and audit requirements
- Anti-money laundering compliance strengthened
- Greater scrutiny on complex fund structures
Investor Programme Policy Review
July 2009
Comprehensive review of investor immigration policies announced to improve programme effectiveness.
Key Changes:
- Government review of existing investor policies
- Consultation with business and immigration sectors
- Focus on maximizing economic benefits to New Zealand
- Foundation for future programme improvements
Modern Investor Programme Established
2009
New Zealand establishes formal Investor 1 and Investor 2 residence visa categories with clear investment pathways.
Key Changes:
- Investor 1 Category: NZ$10M investment, no age limit, no EOI, no language requirements
- Investor 2 Category: NZ$1.5M investment, age limit 65, EOI required, English language required
- Investment period: 4 years for both categories
- Investor 1 residency: No minimum days required
- Investor 2 residency: 146 days per year over 4 years
- Acceptable investments: Bonds, equities, residential property, commercial property
Understand How Changes Affect Your Application
Policy changes can significantly impact your eligibility and application strategy. Learn about current requirements and check your eligibility status.