Statistics & Investor Trends
Comprehensive data on New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa programme
Data current as at 1 July 2026 (Immigration New Zealand visa processing data)
From more than 3,000 people across Growth (807) and Balanced (142) categories
85.2% Growth, 14.8% Balanced category
Total added to the investment pipeline or committed since April 2025
259 approved in principle, 145 still in progress
Approved applications with funds transferred to New Zealand
NZ$2.12B allocated: managed funds (Growth), bonds (Balanced)
421 Growth + 75 Balanced applications approved
27 working days avg. once documentation provided
The Programme at a Glance
A 30-second animated summary of official INZ data (as at 1 July 2026)
Active Investor Plus Visa
New Zealand's golden visa since the April 2025 changes, in numbers
Key Insights
Per INZ visa processing data as at 24 September 2026, Immigration New Zealand has received 949 applications under the new settings, covering more than 3,000 people. 807 (85.0%) are in the Growth category and 142 (15.0%) in the Balanced category, all since the April 2025 changes.
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 27 working days. 496 applications have been approved, 256 approved in principle and 148 remain in progress; 49 have been withdrawn or declined.
NZ$2.88 billion has been committed and transferred to New Zealand under approved applications, with a further NZ$2.26B in the investment pipeline — around NZ$5.15B added or committed across all 949 applications.
Learn More About the NZ Golden Visa
Eligibility criteria & investment categories
Step-by-step guide & timeline
Lifestyle, education, healthcare & more
NZ Golden Visa at a Glance
Official Immigration New Zealand visa processing data, as at 1 July 2026
Total Applications
872
2,847 people across Growth (743) and Balanced (129) categories
Pipeline & Committed
NZ$4.8B
Total added to pipeline or committed — NZ$2.28B in the pipeline
Capital Committed
NZ$2.54B
Approved applications with funds transferred — NZ$2.12B allocated by type
Processing Speed
27 days
Average to approve once documentation is provided
Programme Status
496
Applications approved (363 Growth, 71 Balanced)
256
Applications approved in principle (227 Growth, 32 Balanced)
148
Applications still in progress
49
Applications withdrawn or declined
Where Is the NZ$2.12B Going?
Key Programme Highlights
Data sourced from Immigration New Zealand official statistics
Data as at 1 July 2026 (Immigration New Zealand)
Note: Sharp increase after 1 April 2025 reforms (Growth & Balanced categories introduced)
USA leads at 32.8% (286 of 872), followed by China (18.7%, 163) and Hong Kong (12.7%, 111). Germany is 4th with 58 applications. Source: Immigration New Zealand, data as at 1 July 2026.
NZ$2.54B committed and transferred to New Zealand; a further NZ$2.28B in the pipeline, across 872 applications.
Source: Immigration New Zealand, capital committed by investment type, as at 1 July 2026. Managed funds lead the Growth category (private credit alone accounts for NZ$842.1m); 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.
949 Applications, ~NZ$5.15B Pipeline & Committed (Official INZ Data)
949 applications covering more than 3,000 people: 807 Growth, 142 Balanced. 496 approved, 256 approved in principle, 148 in progress, 49 withdrawn or declined. Approximately NZ$2.26B is in the pipeline and NZ$2.88B is committed. Average 27 working days to approve once investment documentation is provided.
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: 1 July 2026 (per Immigration New Zealand visa processing data; counts cover applications made since the April 2025 changes)
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 a Free Consultation or explore our trusted partners for immigration and investment advice.
Why 1 in 3 applicants are American
Complete programme guide
Qualifying investment sectors and funds
How to transfer funds to New Zealand
Common questions answered
Our mission and expertise