Mid-2025 research confirmed New Zealand's continued standing as one of the world's most stable and safe nations, reinforcing its appeal for investor residents seeking long-term security.
The Institute for Economics and Peace's Global Peace Index 2025 ranked New Zealand as the third safest country in the world across 163 countries. Key scores include political stability (96th percentile), very low violent crime rates, and high marks for societal safety. This ranking is frequently cited by Active Investor Plus Visa applicants as a primary motivation for choosing New Zealand.
The Henley Passport Index confirmed New Zealand's passport maintains a top-10 global ranking with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186 destinations. For Active Investor Plus Visa investors on the path to NZ citizenship, this represents a significant upgrade in travel freedom. New Zealand also permits dual citizenship, meaning existing passports need not be surrendered upon naturalisation.
March 2026 brought a significant practical benefit for Active Investor Plus Visa holders with the Overseas Investment Act reforms taking effect. Fast-track property consent is now available, and Immigration New Zealand reinforced official programme terminology.
February 2026 was a landmark month for the Active Investor Plus Visa. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford confirmed programme totals, while international media including The Guardian reported on the surge in US applications driven by political uncertainty.
November 2025 saw New Zealand's investor visa landscape expand with the introduction of the Business Investor Work Visa — a complementary lower-barrier pathway targeting entrepreneurs and smaller investors, covered by both Immigration New Zealand and international travel media.