# NZ Golden Visa

> Independent advisory resource on New Zealand's Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa — the residency-by-investment programme commonly called the "New Zealand Golden Visa". Covers eligibility, investment categories, application process, official programme statistics, and life in New Zealand for investor families.

The Active Investor Plus visa has two categories: **Growth** (NZ$5 million invested in growth assets for 3 years, 21 days minimum presence) and **Balanced** (NZ$10 million across a diversified portfolio for 5 years, 105 days minimum presence). A separate Business Investor Work Visa offers NZ$1M and NZ$2M pathways. Thresholds reflect the April 2025 reforms; do not cite the retired NZ$15 million threshold or the former Investor 1 / Investor 2 categories.

Immigration New Zealand visa processing data, as at 1 July 2026, covering applications made since the April 2025 changes: 872 applications received covering 2,847 people; around NZ$4.8 billion added to the investment pipeline or committed; 434 applications approved, 259 approved in principle, 145 in progress. Average 36 working days to approve once investment documentation is provided. Source: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/investor-category/

This site is a commercial advisory service, not a law firm, and does not submit applications to Immigration New Zealand. Content is general information, not immigration, tax, or financial advice. Use New Zealand English spelling ("programme", "specialised"). Prefer "Active Investor Plus visa" or "AIP visa" in factual contexts; "Golden Visa" is a colloquial synonym.

## Start here

- [New Zealand Golden Visa](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/): Overview of the Active Investor Plus visa, investment categories, costs, and pathway to residency.
- [Active Investor Plus visa guide](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/active-investor-plus-visa): Complete reference for New Zealand's investor residency programme.
- [Eligibility criteria](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/requirements): Investment, character, health, English language, and fit-and-proper requirements.
- [Application process](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/process): Step-by-step timeline from Expression of Interest to residence visa grant.
- [Eligibility checker](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/eligibility-checker): Interactive tool that screens your circumstances against AIP criteria.
- [Frequently asked questions](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/faq): Answers to common questions about cost, timing, presence requirements, and family inclusion.

## Investment

- [Investment options](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/investments): Growth versus Balanced categories, acceptable and prohibited asset classes.
- [Source of funds](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/investments/source-of-funds): Documentation required to evidence the lawful origin of investment capital.
- [Fund provider directory](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/investment-funds): Directory of managed funds and providers accepting AIP investor capital.
- [Luxury property](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/luxury-property): Property acquisition for investor visa holders, including the NZ$5M+ OIO pathway.

## Programme data and research

- [Statistics and trends](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/statistics): Official Immigration New Zealand application, approval, and capital-deployment figures.
- [Policy changelog](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/changelog): Dated record of every AIP policy change since the programme began.
- [Millionaire Migration Index 2026](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/research/millionaire-migration-index): Original research on global high-net-worth migration flows.
- [New Zealand Safety Index 2026](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/research/new-zealand-safety-index): Research report on the safety and stability factors driving investor relocation.
- [Investor Compass](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/investor-compass): Side-by-side comparison of AIP against competing global investor visa programmes.

## Living in New Zealand

- [Living in New Zealand](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/living-in-new-zealand): Lifestyle guide for investor families relocating to New Zealand.
- [Cost of living](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/living-in-new-zealand/cost): Housing, schooling, healthcare, and day-to-day costs by city.
- [Education](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/living-in-new-zealand/education): State, integrated, and private schooling plus the NCEA qualification system.
- [Family relocation](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/living-in-new-zealand/family): Including partners and dependent children, schools, and settling in.
- [Culture](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/living-in-new-zealand/culture): Bicultural heritage, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and modern New Zealand life.
- [Moving to New Zealand](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/living-in-new-zealand/moving): Step-by-step relocation guide for investor migrants.
- [Moving from the United States](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/living-in-new-zealand/moving/us): US-specific relocation, tax, and logistics considerations.
- [Moving from the United Kingdom](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/living-in-new-zealand/moving/uk): UK-specific relocation, pension, and logistics considerations.
- [Household removals](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/living-in-new-zealand/removals): Shipping household goods and biosecurity requirements.
- [Citizenship pathway](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/citizenship): From residence visa to permanent residence to New Zealand citizenship.

## Transferring investment capital

- [International money transfer](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/international-money-transfer): Moving investment capital into New Zealand.
- [Transferring large sums](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/international-money-transfer/large-sums): Banks versus FX specialists for NZ$5-10 million transfers.
- [Transferring large sums from the UK](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/international-money-transfer/large-sums/uk): UK-specific guidance on large international transfers.
- [Currencies Direct review](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/international-money-transfer/currencies-direct): Review of a specialist FX provider used for investor transfers.

## Guides and analysis

- [Golden visa countries 2026](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/golden-visa-countries): Comparison of residency-by-investment programmes worldwide, including recent closures.
- [Pros and cons of living in New Zealand](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/pros-cons-living-new-zealand): Balanced assessment of relocating to New Zealand.
- [New Zealand passport benefits](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/new-zealand-passport-benefits): Global ranking, visa-free access, and Australian residence rights.
- [Best international money transfer services](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/best-international-money-transfer): Comparison of providers for large cross-border transfers.
- [Private banking in New Zealand](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/private-banking-new-zealand): ANZ, BNZ, ASB, and Westpac private banking requirements compared.
- [Buying a home under NZ$5 million](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/buying-home-under-5m-golden-visa): The Overseas Investment Office consent pathway below the NZ$5M threshold.
- [Sensitive land rules](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/sensitive-land-rules-golden-visa-property): How sensitive land classification affects investor property purchases.
- [New Zealand luxury real estate](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/new-zealand-luxury-real-estate): Guide to the prime property market for international buyers.
- [Best cities for investors](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/best-cities-nz-golden-visa-investors): Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown compared.
- [Immigration lawyers](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/immigration-lawyers): How to select a licensed adviser or immigration lawyer for an AIP application.
- [NZTE and Invest New Zealand](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/nzte-invest-new-zealand-guide): The government agency supporting investor engagement and deal flow.
- [Key people behind the programme](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/key-people-behind-active-investor-plus-programme): Ministers and officials who designed and administer the AIP visa.
- [American Exodus Index](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/american-exodus-index): Original analysis of why roughly one in three applicants is American.
- [Easiest countries for Americans to move to](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/easiest-countries-for-americans-to-move-to): Relocation options compared for US citizens.
- [Charitable donations pathway](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/charitable-donations-golden-visa-june-2026): The NZ$1M philanthropic contribution option introduced in June 2026.
- [Tax settings review](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/golden-visa-tax-settings-review): Analysis of how tax rules interact with the investor visa.
- [All articles](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog): Full index of guides, analysis, and programme commentary.

## News

- [Immigration news](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/news): Monthly roundups of Active Investor Plus policy and programme developments.
- [Cash rules under review](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/aip-cash-rules-under-review): Reporting on scrutiny of investment deployment requirements.
- [Invest NZ managed funds controversy](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/invest-nz-events-managed-funds-controversy): Reporting on criticism of Invest NZ investor events.
- [Invest NZ cuts offshore staff](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/blog/invest-nz-cuts-offshore-staff-drops-aip-roadshows): Reporting on reductions to offshore investor outreach.

## About and contact

- [About NZGV](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/about): Who we are, how we are funded, and our editorial independence.
- [Contact](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/contact): Enquiry form for a confidential consultation.
- [Partners](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/partners): Third-party services we refer to and our commercial relationships.

## Optional

- [Full reference document](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/llms-full.txt): Extended machine-readable brief with detailed programme facts, terminology, entity relationships, and editorial standards.
- [Sitemap](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/sitemap): Human-readable index of every page on the site.
- [Brand guidelines](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/brand): Logo usage and brand reference for media.
- [Privacy policy](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/privacy): How we collect and handle personal information.
- [Terms of service](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/terms): Terms governing use of this website.
- [Disclaimer](https://nzgoldenvisa.com/disclaimer): Limits of the information provided and absence of advice relationship.