New Zealand · Investment and residence
New Zealand investor residence: investment terms and time in the country
New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa offers Growth and Balanced categories, with minimum investments of NZ$5 million and NZ$10 million respectively. Their differences extend beyond capital to eligible assets, investment periods and time spent in New Zealand. Understanding the options means comparing the actual availability of invested funds with the family’s residence objectives.
The principal differences
| Comparison | Growth | Balanced |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum qualifying investment | NZ$5,000,000 | NZ$10,000,000 |
| Required investment period | 36 months | 60 months |
| Basic physical presence | At least 21 days during the investment period | At least 105 days during the investment period |
| Main asset scope | Eligible direct investments, managed funds and donations within the permitted limit | Also includes eligible listed equities, bonds and property development, among other categories |
| Family planning focus | Risk tolerance and liquidity | Higher capital, a longer holding period and asset choice |
Amounts, periods and presence requirements follow the visa page.[1] Asset categories follow the current operational instructions.[5] This table summarises the programme; a particular investment must satisfy the applicable conditions when it is made.
Growth: the visa investment period is not an exit date
Immigration New Zealand explains that direct investments and managed funds under the Growth category are generally less liquid, and the investment commitment may last longer than the minimum visa investment period.[2] Current instructions also allow charitable donations up to 20% of the total investment. That portion is not redeemable capital.[5]
Fund terms, extension provisions, transfer restrictions and distributions are more informative for cash planning than the phrase “three-year investment period”. If a fund has a seven-year contractual term but the family may need its capital in year three, there is a mismatch. An investment’s eligibility for the visa does not remove that mismatch.
Investment review should therefore answer two questions: does the asset satisfy immigration rules, and do its risk and term suit the family? The first establishes eligibility; the second informs the financial decision.
Balanced: more choice still requires investment judgement
Balanced permits a broader range of eligible assets, but its name does not imply capital protection. Listed-market volatility, credit and interest-rate risk in bonds, and exit restrictions in development or private investments need to be assessed individually. Immigration eligibility does not guarantee investment success or returns.[2]
A home intended for the applicant’s personal use does not qualify merely because it is in New Zealand. Official requirements exclude investments for personal use and specify separate conditions for eligible property development.[2]
A wider asset range provides more choice. The final portfolio must still satisfy continuing requirements and fit with the family’s other assets, cash needs and ability to absorb losses.
How additional investment can reduce the stay requirement
Balanced applicants can reduce the required time in New Zealand through additional qualifying Growth investments. Each extra NZ$1 million above the base NZ$10 million reduces the requirement by 14 days, up to 42 days. The additional amount must be declared before approval in principle and maintained as required; charitable donations do not qualify for this reduction.[1]
| Qualifying declared total | Additional Growth investment | Required presence |
|---|---|---|
| NZ$10,000,000 | None | 105 days |
| NZ$11,000,000 | NZ$1,000,000 | 91 days |
| NZ$12,000,000 | NZ$2,000,000 | 77 days |
| NZ$13,000,000 | NZ$3,000,000 | 63 days |
These figures follow the official category guidance.[6] Whether the extra investment is worthwhile depends on the family’s time, alternative uses of capital and additional investment risk. A reduction in days is not a complete investment rationale.
Plan residence status and investment exit separately
Investments must remain eligible, with records of transfers, holdings and applicable reports. Changes, reinvestment following the return of capital and submission of evidence must follow the approval conditions and current instructions.[3]
After the relevant investment period and conditions have been satisfied, and the necessary procedures completed, an applicant can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.[1] The end of the investment period, the grant of that visa and the actual payment of investment proceeds are separate events. A family cash plan should record them separately.
Citizenship requires substantially more actual residence
The general presence requirement for New Zealand citizenship includes at least 1,350 days in the country as a resident during the preceding five years, with at least 240 days in each 12-month period. Other conditions, including intentions concerning continued residence, also apply.[4] The minimum presence required for Active Investor Plus does not replace the citizenship requirement.
A family seeking to retain a residence option may focus on investment and maintenance obligations. A family considering citizenship should additionally plan for relocation, its centre of daily life and the time each person will actually spend in New Zealand.
Before selecting a category, establish when the capital may be needed and whether the family intends to live in New Zealand long term. Those decisions provide a sound basis for comparing the options.
Explore New Zealand investor residence · Related policy update: investment assessment changes from 28 September · Discuss your circumstances
Official sources
1. Immigration New Zealand: Active Investor Plus Visa
2. Immigration New Zealand: acceptable Active Investor Plus investments
3. Immigration New Zealand: managing Active Investor Plus investments
4. New Zealand Government: citizenship presence requirements
5. Immigration New Zealand: operational instructions, BN7.10, effective 1 June 2026
6. Immigration New Zealand: category options and reductions in required presence
This article provides general information, not recommendations for individual investments or guarantees of returns, exit dates or immigration approval. Individual immigration and investment matters should be reviewed by appropriately qualified professionals.