Statistics & Investor Trends
Comprehensive data on New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa programme
Data current as of 23 July 2026 (Immigration New Zealand official statistics)
From 2,732 people across Growth (710) and Balanced (127) categories
83.3% Growth, 16.7% Balanced category
Total added to the investment pipeline or committed since April 2025
285 approved in principle, 139 still in progress
Approved applications with funds transferred to New Zealand
Majority into managed funds (Growth) and bonds (Balanced)
330 Growth + 65 Balanced resident visas approved
36 working days avg. once documentation provided
The Programme at a Glance
A 30-second animated summary of official INZ data (23 July 2026)
Active Investor Plus Visa
One year of New Zealand's golden visa, in numbers
Key Insights
As of 23 July 2026, INZ has received 837 applications under the new settings covering 2,732 people. 710 (83.3%) are in the Growth category and 127 (16.7%) in the Balanced category, all since the April 2025 reforms.
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.
The average time to approve an application once investment documentation is provided is 36 working days. 395 applications have been approved for a resident visa, 285 approved in principle and 139 remain in progress; only 18 have been withdrawn or declined.
NZ$2.3 billion has been committed and transferred to New Zealand under approved applications, predominantly into managed funds (Growth category) and bonds (Balanced category). A further NZ$2.41B sits in the pipeline, for NZ$4.845B added or committed across all 837 applications.
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NZ Golden Visa at a Glance
Official Immigration New Zealand data as of 23 July 2026
Total Applications
837
2,732 people across Growth (710) and Balanced (127) categories
Pipeline & Committed
NZ$4.845B
Total added to pipeline or committed — NZ$2.41B in the pipeline
Capital Committed
NZ$2.3B
Transferred to NZ by 395 visa recipients
Processing Speed
36 days
Average to approve once documentation is provided
Programme Status
395
Resident visas approved (330 Growth, 65 Balanced)
285
Applications approved in principle (248 Growth, 37 Balanced)
139
Applications still in progress
18
Applications withdrawn or declined
Where Is the NZ$2.3B Going?
Key Programme Highlights
Data sourced from Immigration New Zealand official statistics
Last updated: 23 July 2026
Note: Sharp increase after 1 April 2025 reforms (Growth & Balanced categories introduced)
USA leads at 33.1% (277 of 837), followed by China (18.6%, 156) and Hong Kong (13.1%, 110). Germany remains 4th with 56 applications. Source: INZ, 23 July 2026.
NZ$2.3B committed and transferred to New Zealand; a further NZ$2.41B in the pipeline across 837 applications.
Source: Immigration New Zealand, capital committed by investment type (1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026). Managed funds lead the Growth category; bonds lead the Balanced category.
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: 23 July 2026 (application data per Immigration New Zealand official statistics, published 24 July 2026; policy data through July 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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