Statistics & Investor Trends
Comprehensive data on New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa programme
Data current as of April 2026
Active Investor Plus applications received to date
+62 since Feb 2026 (585 post-reform)
Total committed investment capital
+NZ$340M since Feb 2026
Already invested into the NZ economy
+35% from NZ$1.05B in Feb 2026
Resident visas approved (189 Growth, 48 Balanced)
31 working days avg. processing
Key Insights
Since the April 2025 reforms, applications surged from 116 (pre-reform total) to 635 as of April 2026. Investment pipeline grew from NZ$70M to NZ$3.73B. NZ$1.42B already deployed into the NZ economy.
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.
Average approval-in-principle processing time is just 31 working days. 237 resident visas granted to April 2026: 189 Growth category and 48 Balanced category.
Minor changes announced around infrastructure investment have led to three new funds being approved by Invest NZ. Government not planning to lower investment thresholds.
Learn More About the NZ Golden Visa
Eligibility criteria & investment categories
Step-by-step guide & timeline
Lifestyle, education, healthcare & more
Note: Sharp increase after 1 April 2025 reforms (Growth & Balanced categories introduced)
USA leads at 35.4% of applications (225 of 635), followed by China (16.4%) and Hong Kong (13.7%)
Total pipeline: NZ$3.73 billion across 635 applications. NZ$1.42B 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.
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: 13 February 2026 (application data per Minister Stanford announcement Feb 2026; policy data through March 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.
Need expert guidance? Request Information or explore our trusted partners for immigration and investment advice.
Qualifying investment sectors and funds
How to transfer funds to New Zealand
Common questions answered
Our mission and expertise