A plain English guide to New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa
New Zealand has a visa designed specifically for globally mobile investors and their families. It is called the Active Investor Plus — or AIP — and it has become considerably more relevant since a series of changes took effect in 2025 and early 2026.
This is a plain English summary of what it is, how it works, and what it actually means in practice.
What is the Active Investor Plus visa?
It is New Zealand’s primary investor residency pathway, designed for high-net-worth individuals and families who want a structured, low-obligation connection to New Zealand. Minimum investments start at NZ$5 million, residency requirements are deliberately light — as few as 21 days over three years — and the programme grants permanent residency for the investor, their partner, and dependent children up to the age of 24.
It replaced an earlier scheme that, by most measures, did not work. The redesign was substantive: thresholds came down, the English language requirement was removed entirely, and the residency obligations were restructured to reflect how internationally mobile people actually live.
The result is a programme that is meaningfully more accessible than its predecessor — and more competitive with equivalent schemes in other jurisdictions.
Who is it for?
The AIP visa is designed for high-net-worth individuals and families who want a structured connection to New Zealand — whether as a place to invest, a base to visit, a long-term option for their children, or simply a stable jurisdiction to hold alongside others.
It is not designed for people intending to move to New Zealand permanently from day one. The residency requirements are deliberately light. The programme suits people who want New Zealand in their lives without it becoming their whole life.
The two pathways
There are two categories, differentiated primarily by investment size and asset type. The Growth Category asks for less capital and less time in-country; the Balanced Category accepts a broader asset mix in exchange for a larger investment and longer holding period.
Growth Category
– Minimum investment: NZ$5 million
– Investment period: Three years
– Residency requirement: 21 days over three years — roughly one week per year
– Investment focus: Higher-growth assets, including pre-approved managed funds and direct investment in New Zealand businesses
Balanced Category
– Minimum investment: NZ$10 million
– Investment period: Five years
– Residency requirement: 105 days over five years, reducible for larger commitments
– Investment focus: Broader asset mix — government and corporate bonds, listed equities and certain property developments
Both categories grant permanent residency for the investor, their partner, and dependent children up to the age of 24. Both open a pathway to New Zealand citizenship after five years of residency.
For most investors considering the programme for the first time, the Growth Category is the more relevant starting point.
What about residential property?
As of March 2026, AIP visa holders may purchase one residential property in New Zealand valued at NZ$5 million or more, subject to Overseas Investment Office consent which is only a few days.
This is a significant change. Previously, investor visa holders could not buy residential property in New Zealand until they met a relatively high threshold of physical presence and tax residency. For someone based in the US, Dubai or London, that threshold was effectively incompatible with how they live.
A few important details to note: the property must not sit on sensitive land such as large rural blocks or coastal foreshore. It does not count toward the qualifying AIP investment — it sits alongside the visa, not within it. And if you wish to upgrade to a different property, the original must be sold first.
In practical terms, this means an investor can now own a significant property here, and spend a manageable number of days per year in the country while remaining compliant. The property can be professionally managed on their behalf between visits.
What does the investment actually involve?
The investment must be active — meaning it must be directed toward qualifying New Zealand businesses or approved managed funds, rather than held in cash, bonds, or passive vehicles.
For the Growth Category, this typically means investing through pre-approved managed funds or directly into New Zealand businesses. Invest New Zealand — a government-funded body — provides advisory support to AIP applicants and can assist with identifying qualifying investment options.
The investment does not need to generate a particular return. The requirement is that it is deployed into qualifying assets and held for the required period.
Who is applying?
Nearly 40% of AIP applicants have come from the United States — a striking figure that reflects both the scale of American interest in international residency options and confidence in New Zealand specifically. China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the United Kingdom, and the UAE are also strongly represented.
The same pattern holds in the OIO residential property consent data. To June 2026, of the first 20 consents granted to AIP and investor visa holders, the United States accounts for the largest share, followed by China, Germany, Canada, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Auckland has attracted the majority of approved property purchases, with Queenstown and surrounds, a notable secondary market.
The contrast with the previous scheme is instructive: the reformed programme has attracted more than five times the number of applications in its first year than the previous framework attracted in two and a half years. The programme is no longer experimental — it is operational, well-understood, and gaining momentum.
What does the process look like?
At a high level, the process involves four broad stages. First, assessing eligibility and structuring the investment appropriately — typically with the assistance of a New Zealand immigration lawyer and financial advisor.
Second, submitting the visa application to Immigration New Zealand, supported by the required documentation.
Third, identifying and acquiring qualifying investments — and, for those intending to purchase property, navigating the OIO consent process.
Fourth, meeting the residency requirements over the investment period and, in time, applying for citizenship if that is the objective.
The timeline from application to approval varies, but the process is well-established and Immigration New Zealand has dedicated resources for AIP applicants.
What happens on the ground?
This is often the part that receives the least attention during the planning stage — and the part that matters most in practice.
Once an investor has residency and property in New Zealand, the ongoing reality of ownership from offshore requires proper management. Seasonal maintenance, contractor oversight, insurance, council processes, and ensuring the property is ready for use on arrival — these are not complex individually, but together they represent a meaningful responsibility for someone operating from the other side of the world.
For investors who are serious about making their New Zealand foothold work properly, having a trusted local presence is not optional. It is what makes the difference between a well-maintained asset and one that quietly deteriorates between visits.
Common Questions
Can AIP visa holders buy property in New Zealand?
Yes, as of March 2026. AIP visa holders may purchase one residential property valued at NZ$5 million or more, subject to OIO consent. The consent process has been running at an average of around three working days. The property sits alongside the visa investment — it does not count toward the qualifying investment threshold.
How long do you need to spend in New Zealand on the AIP visa?
For the Growth Category: 21 days over three years — roughly one week per year. For the Balanced Category: 105 days over five years, with reductions available for larger investment commitments.
What is the minimum investment for the Active Investor Plus visa?
NZ$5 million for the Growth Category (three-year holding period) or NZ$10 million for the Balanced Category (five-year holding period). The investment must be directed toward qualifying New Zealand assets — not held in cash or property.
Does the AIP visa lead to citizenship?
It can lead to permanent residency for the investor, their partner, and dependent children up to 24. A pathway to New Zealand citizenship opens after five years of residency, subject to meeting criteria.
What assets qualify for the Active Investor Plus visa?
Growth Category investors typically invest through pre-approved managed funds or directly into New Zealand businesses. Balanced Category investors have a broader mix available, including government and corporate bonds and listed equities. Residential property does not count as a qualifying investment under either category.
A note on advice
This article by HCNZ is intended as a general introduction. The AIP programme has specific requirements, and individual circumstances — including tax position, investment structure, and family situation — vary considerably.
Anyone considering the programme should seek independent legal, immigration and tax advice appropriate to their situation before proceeding. This is an overview only.
Hiatt Consulting New Zealand provides independent, owner-side representation for offshore investors with New Zealand property and investment interests. If you would like to discuss what a New Zealand foothold looks like in practice, we look forward to talking with you.
David Hiatt is the founder of Hiatt Consulting New Zealand. He works with offshore owners, private families and family offices requiring trusted, on-the-ground representation in New Zealand — across property, local coordination and long-term oversight. A fifth-generation New Zealander based in the South Island, David brings networks and local understanding built over a lifetime. When he's not working, he's most likely on skis, in (or pushing) a jet boat, or on the sideline watching his sons play sport.
