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In order to encourage, streamline, and expand investment opportunities, New Zealand modified the Golden Visa regulations, increasing the country’s attractiveness and accessibility to foreign investors. You can now obtain a New Zealand Golden Visa by purchasing real estate valued at NZD 10 million.
Starting April 1, the Active Investor Plus visa will be replaced with two simplified investment categories. Two simplified investment categories have been introduced — Growth and Balanced. A minimum investment amount of NZD $5 million will be required for Growth category investors over a 3-year investment term. A minimum investment amount of NZD $10 million will be required for Balanced category investors over a 5-year investment term.
The scope of acceptable investments for the Balanced category will be broadened to include bonds and property investments. Property investments will be limited to new residential developments that increase the housing stock in New Zealand and new or existing commercial or industrial developments.
Now, there will be fewer immigration requirements for migrants who choose more active investments, such as reducing the time required to be spent in New Zealand. Investors under the Growth category will have to spend only a minimum of 21 days in New Zealand over the investment period.
Investors under the Balanced category will have to spend a minimum of 105 days in New Zealand over the investment period, unless eligible for a reduction by
investing above the minimum investment amount into direct investments or managed funds. There will 14-day reduction on additional investments of $11 million, a 28-day reduction for $12 million, and a 42-day reduction for $13 million.
Growth and Balanced category applicants’ time for fund transfers and investments in New Zealand will be reduced, with all investments completed within 6 months of approval.
Moreover, the English language requirements introduced in 2022 have been removed. These changes will apply to all Active Investor Plus applications from 1 April 2025.
The Growth category will focus on higher-risk investments, such as direct investments in New Zealand enterprises. It will demand a minimum investment of $5 million over three years.
The Balanced category will focus on mixed investments, with the option to select lower-risk ones. The minimum investment will be $10 million over five years.
So, essentially, from 1 April 2025, there will be changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa to encourage growth and make investing in New Zealand more attractive. These include introducing two simplified investment categories — Growth and Balanced.
The rules of Active Investor Plus Visa have been modified by reducing the minimum investment amount from NZD$15 million (or weighted equivalent) to NZD$5 million for Growth and NZD$10 million for Balanced category investors.
Further, the acceptable investments will now include bond and property-type investments for Balanced category investors. Property development will include new residential or new/existing commercial or industrial establishments.
New Zealand is simplifying the ‘golden visa’ program by expanding its investment scope to attract wealthy immigrants and stimulate economic recovery. For investor migrants, choosing New Zealand as a destination for their capital investments is expected to get encouragement.
Earlier, the New Zealand Golden Visa applications were processed under the Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories, which are no longer accepted.
Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-new-zealand-simplifies-golden-visa-rules-to-attract-foreign-investors-3795216/
