Investor Visa Applications

To be granted any visa, you have to apply.  The application process begins with an Expression of Interest (EOI).  If your Expression of Interest is successful, you will be invited to apply for residence under the Investor policy.  At this point you will be asked to submit your application and all necessary documents directly to the Business Migration Branch.

To download an Expression of Interest Form, click here (PDF, 345 KB).

For a guide to completing these forms click here (PDF, 228 KB).

FAQs

How does the Expression of Interest process work for the Investor category?
The Expression of Interest process is a points-based selection process.
Selection for Investor visas is made every two weeks from those people who have made an ‘Expression of Interest’ application. Those with the highest total points may be invited to apply for residence.

How many points will be needed?
You will need a minimum of 20 points on your Expression of Interest (EOI). You claim points on your EOI for your age, business experience, English language, and investment funds. To find out how many points you may be eligible for, click here.

What about English language requirements?
If English is your first language, you will just need to show that you come from an English speaking background. Otherwise, you will need a certificate from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least Level 3. And anyone included on your application will need to take English tuition if they don’t already have a minimum level of English.

How much will this application cost?
For the Investor category, the Expression of Interest (EOI) fee is NZ$460, and the residence application fee is NZ$3400.

Where should I submit my Expression of Interest?
To submit your Expression of Interest, mail it to the Business Migration Branch

Business Migration Branch
Immigration New Zealand
PO Box 3705
Wellington, New Zealand

In addition to my completed application form, what else will you need from me?
Several things:

• Two passport-size photographs
• Photocopies of the identity pages of your passport
• A full birth certificate
• Completed medical and chest x-ray certificate forms (PDF, 475 KB)
• Police certificates from the country of citizenship and any other country lived in for more than 12 months in the past 10 years for everyone aged over 17 years.  To obtain more detailed  information, click here .
• Partnership documents, if applicable:
  
  • Marriage certificate
  • Or evidence that your partnership is genuine and stable (e.g joint bank accounts, joint property etc)
• Evidence to show you legally own sufficient funds to meet the requirements of your application. This may include original or certified copies of:

• bank books/statements
• title deeds for property and a recent valuation from an independent registered adviser and mortgage documents
• share certificates, share printout reports, share trading cards (if applicable)
• a recent statement by a registered share broker or chartered accountant that certifies the current market value of your shares and bonds
• documents of ownership, or financial interest in, the company/business, and an independent valuation by a chartered accountant (or appropriate person), including details of any mortgages, loans, or other financial obligations
• Evidence of ownership and a recent independent market valuation of other assets such as gold bullion
  All documents provided as valuations of assets must be no more than three months old when you make your residence application and must be produced by a reliable, independent agency.
• Acceptable evidence to show that you earned or acquired your funds and/or assets legally, including original or certified copies of:
  
  • personal tax returns or tax certificates
  • pay slips
  • letters of appointment
  • employer certificates
  • bank statements showing receipt of earnings
  • business financial statements
  • evidence of ownership or shareholding in the business
  • bank statements showing receipt of dividends
  • evidence of capital appreciation of property, measured as the current value (or sale price if property has been sold) less purchase price, eg solicitor's settlement documents, bank statements showing your receipt of sale proceeds, valuation report for property currently owned
  • bank certificates
  • evidence of share trading profits
  • probate and evidence of inheritance from your solicitor
  • evidence of gifting, and evidence to show that your donor earned or acquired those funds and/or assets legally
• Proof of English language capacity.
  
  For a more detailed account of requirements, click here.

How long will it take to be processed for this visa?
Within a week you should receive via mail acknowledgement that your application has been received.  All applications of this kind will be processed at the Business Migration Branch, click here to see their processing times.