1. What is Active Investor Plus visa?
The new Active Investor Plus visa category is created to attract high-value investors. This new visa will replace the existing Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories.

2. What is the purpose of removing the previous visa categories?
As competition for international capital intensifies, the Government believes the policy needs to evolve to ensure New Zealand does better at attracting skilled and experienced international high-net-worth investors, and incentivizing direct investment to help build globally successful Kiwi businesses. The previous categories did not require or encourage active investment early on in the visa process.

3. What happens when the existing Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories are closed?
INZ will process any applications it has on hand on the date the visa categories closed at 11:59 pm on 27 July 2022. These applications will continue to be processed in line with the immigration instructions in force on the date the application was submitted.

4. Is there any difference between the qualifications for the Active Investor Plus Visa and the previous Investor Visa categories?
​Under the new visa, an investor will have the flexibility to invest over a three-year period as opposed to making all qualifying investments up front and holding them throughout the entire three-year period under the previous settings. Investor migrants will have to spend at least 117 days in New Zealand over the four-year investment period (up from 88 days for Investor 1 category). The scope for passive investments is limited through a 50% cap on investments in listed equities and philanthropy (1x weighting) and Government bonds will not qualify at all.

5. Is there an English language requirement now?
Applicants will need to speak, read, write and understand English to at least Level 5 under the International English Language Testing System (or equivalent). This will ensure investors are able to share their knowledge and skills, and engage in the New Zealand investment network.

6. How much money do you need to invest to be eligible for an investor visa?
Eligibility criteria includes a minimum $5 million investment if it is a direct investment. It also encourages greater economic benefit to New Zealand companies by capping passive investment in listed equities to 50% and excluding bonds and property.
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7. When does the application period start?
The visa category will open 19 September 2022.
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