Statistics & Investor Trends
Comprehensive data on New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa programme
Data current as of 5 May 2026 (Immigration New Zealand official statistics)
From 2,260 people across Growth (573) and Balanced (115) categories
638 new post-reform, 50 transitioned from old settings
Total potential minimum investment committed
568 approved in principle, 109 still being assessed
Invested into NZ economy by 263 visa-granted applicants
Majority into Invest NZ managed funds and bonds
212 Growth + 51 Balanced resident visas approved
36 working days avg. to approval-in-principle
Key Insights
As of 5 May 2026, INZ has received 688 applications under the new settings covering 2,260 applicants. 573 are in the Growth category and 115 in the Balanced category. 638 are new post-reform applications; 50 transitioned from the old settings.
OIA amendments took effect 6 March 2026. AIP visa holders can purchase or build one NZ$5M+ home with 5-day OIO processing. Single national interest test also introduced under the Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025.
Average time to approval-in-principle is 36 working days. Average time to full resident visa approval once investment documentation is provided is 36 working days. 568 applications approved in principle; 109 still being assessed; 8 withdrawals.
The NZ$1.56 billion already deployed by visa-granted applicants has gone predominantly into Invest NZ approved managed funds and bonds. The total pipeline of NZ$4.02B represents the potential minimum investment across all 688 applications.
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NZ Golden Visa at a Glance
Official Immigration New Zealand data as of 5 May 2026
Total Applications
688
2,260 people across Growth (573) and Balanced (115) categories
Investment Pipeline
NZ$4.02B
Committed across 568 approved-in-principle applications
Capital Deployed
NZ$1.56B
Into NZ economy by 263 visa recipients
Processing Speed
36 days
Average to approval-in-principle (and to full visa)
Programme Status
568
Applications approved in principle (480 Growth, 88 Balanced)
109
Applications still being assessed
8
Withdrawals processed
1
Application declined
Where Is the NZ$1.56B Going?
Key Programme Highlights
Data sourced from Immigration New Zealand official statistics
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Note: Sharp increase after 1 April 2025 reforms (Growth & Balanced categories introduced)
USA leads at 34.9% (240 of 688), followed by China (16.6%, 114) and Hong Kong (13.7%, 94). Germany now 4th with 50 applications. Source: INZ, 5 May 2026.
Total pipeline: NZ$3.87 billion across 659 applications. NZ$1.48B already deployed.
Note: Sector distribution is estimated based on Growth vs Balanced category preferences and typical investment patterns.
Policy Timeline: 2018–2026
General Foreign Buyer Ban
New Zealand introduces restrictions preventing most overseas persons from buying existing residential property.
Active Investor Plus Launched
AIP visa replaces older Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories with high thresholds and "active" investment emphasis.
Low Uptake Period
Only 116 applications lodged under original AIP settings. Visa criticized as uncompetitive.
Major AIP Reforms
Government relaunches AIP with Growth and Balanced categories, lower thresholds, and removes English language requirement.
"Flood of Interest" Announcement
Officials report 189 applications since relaunch, with potential NZ$845M investment committed.
300+ Applications Milestone
308 applications covering ~1,000 people, with NZ$249M already invested and more in pipeline.
NZ$5M Property Exemption Announced
Government announces intention to allow investor residents to buy/build one NZ$5M+ home (legislation pending).
Business Investor Work Visa Opens
New visa pathway opens for NZ$1M (3-year work-to-residence) and NZ$2M (12-month fast-track) investments in established NZ businesses.
491 Applications, NZ$2.91B Pipeline
129 resident visas granted (99 Growth, 30 Balanced). Average 31 working days to approval-in-principle. 1,571 people covered.
Property Rights Legislation Passed
Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2025 passed, enabling NZ$5M+ home purchases for investor visa holders.
573 Applications, NZ$3.39B Pipeline
Minister Stanford announces NZ$1.05B already deployed. Infrastructure investment changes lead to 3 new Invest NZ-approved funds. No plans to lower thresholds.
OIA Reforms Take Effect
Property exemption, single national interest test, and revised OIA purpose statement come into force. 5-day OIO processing target for home purchases.
659 Applications, NZ$3.87B Pipeline (Official INZ Data)
659 applications from 2,155 people: 545 Growth, 114 Balanced. 538 approved in principle, 247 resident visas granted (197 Growth, 50 Balanced). NZ$1.48B deployed, predominantly into Invest NZ managed funds and bonds. Average 35 working days to approval-in-principle; 34 working days to full visa once investment documentation provided. 8 withdrawals, 1 declined.
This page is a curated, independent summary of publicly available information. To maintain accuracy and transparency, we:
- Monitor official New Zealand Government releases from the Beehive, MBIE, Immigration New Zealand and related agencies
- Review coverage from reputable domestic and international media outlets reporting on investor immigration
- Cross-check figures against commentary from NZ law firms and specialist advisory practices
Data current as at: 5 May 2026 (application data per Immigration New Zealand official statistics; policy data through May 2026)
Important: Application numbers and investment totals change over time as visas are approved, withdrawn or varied. All visa, tax and investment decisions should be made in consultation with appropriately qualified professionals.
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