To qualify for an Investor visa, start here

The qualifications for an Investor visa are straightforward to meet.

To make an application, you must:

• Have the ability to invest a minimum of NZ$1.5 million over four years
• Provide evidence of NZ$1 million minimum in settlement funds (no transfer required)
• Spend 40% of each of the 4 years (or 146 days) in New Zealand
• Have some understanding of English (IELTS Level 3 – conveys and understands only general meaning of English in familiar situations)
• Provide evidence of a minimum of 3 years business experience
• Transfer and invest funds within the first year of the visa.

FAQs

Are there any other qualifications needed?

The funds must be owned by you and have been have been legally earned or acquired. All invested funds must be placed in an acceptable investment(s).

Where can the funds be invested?

We are looking for people who can invest financial capital to support the growth and productivity of New Zealand’s economy. That means funds will need to be invested where they can be used productively. An acceptable investment would be one that is/has:

1.  In either one or more of the following:
   
   • Bonds issued by the New Zealand government or local authorities, or Bonds issued by New Zealand firms traded on the New Zealand Debt Securities Market (NZDX), or
   • Bonds issued by New Zealand firms with at least a BBB- or equivalent rating from internationally recognised credit rating agencies (for example, Standard and Poor’s), or
   • Equity (including convertible notes) in New Zealand firms (public or private), including managed funds, or
   • Bonds issued by New Zealand registered banks, or
   • Equity in New Zealand registered banks, or
   • Residential property development(s), or 
   • Bonds in finance companies, and:
      
2. Is capable of a commercial return under normal circumstances and has the potential to contribute to New Zealand's economy, and
3. Is invested in New Zealand in New Zealand currency, and
4. Has potential to contribute to New Zealand’s economy, and
5. Is invested in lawful enterprises or managed funds that comply with all relevant laws in force in New Zealand, and
6. Is ot for the personal use of the applicant (such as a personal residence, car, boat or similar assets).

Residential property development(s) is defined as property(ies) in which people reside and is subject to the following conditions:

1. the residential property must be in the form of new developments on either new or existing sites; and
2. the residential property(ies) cannot include renovation or extension to existing developments; and
3. the new developments must have been approved and gained any required consents by any relevant regulatory authorities (including local authorities); and
4. the purpose of the residential property investments must be to make a commercial return on the open market; and
5. neither the family, relatives, nor anyone associated with the principal investor, may reside in the development; and
6. the costs associated with obtaining any regulatory approval (including any resource or building consents) are not part of the principal applicant’s acceptable investments.

Bonds in finance companies may be considered where the finance company:

1. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of,
2. raises capital solely for, and
3. has all its debt securities unconditionally guaranteed by
4. New Zealand Stock Exchange listed company or a local authority.

Investment in residential property development

What is meant by ‘new developments on either new or existing sites’?

Residential property developments, for the purposes of investment, can include both development on ‘greenfield’ land and development on 'brownfield' (previously/currently used) land. For example, a brand new site for subdivision and site build, or an existing site for a new build would be acceptable investments under the Investor visa instructions.

Developments must lead to (or include) a build onsite, or subdivision for the purposes of a site build to be acceptable as an investment.

What is meant by ‘the residential property(ies) cannot include renovation or extension to existing developments’?

For the purposes of Investor visa instructions ‘existing developments’ are considered to be existing dwellings, for example, a house or other residential building.  An existing dwelling that is only being renovated or extended will not be considered an acceptable investment.
 
Extensions do not include, for example, construction of additional levels to larger residential properties where new dwellings will be built, i.e. apartment blocks (note, unit title and stage title may be required for apartment developments).

What sort of consent will I need to hold in order for my development to be acceptable?

You will be required to have any Resource Consent and/or Building Consent(s) necessary to initiate the development, as a minimum requirement (subject to other criteria) before your residential property development can be considered acceptable for the purposes of investment.

An acceptable investment will be determined, in part, by the type of consent the development holds.  For example, where investment is in site development by way of subdivision, then the minimum requirement would be a landuse consent providing for residential development and/or a subdivision consent.  Alternatively, where a subdivision is not required, a landuse consent to develop for the development would be required, supported by proof  of applications for building consent for the residential buildings to be built.

What is meant by ‘anyone associated with [me]’ for the purposes of residing in the residential property development?

Someone associated with you is anyone that you have a pre-existing personal or business relationship with.

How quickly do I have to transfer and make my investment into New Zealand?

Once your application has been approved in principle, you’ll have 12 months to transfer and invest your funds in New Zealand. If needed, you may apply during that period to extend the transfer period.

Can I come to New Zealand to investigate investment opportunities once my application has been approved in principle?

Once your application is approved in principle you are eligible for a 12-month multiple entry work visa to come to New Zealand and look into investment opportunities.

What about medicals?  Will I need to provide these?

Yes, you will need a completed Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate for NZ (PDF, 475 KB).   This must be less than 3 months old when you submit your application.

Anything else?

You’ll need a police certificate from your country of citizenship, as well as from any country in which you’ve lived 12 months or more in the last 10 years.   Police certificates must be no more than 6 months old when you submit your application.  To obtain more detailed information, click here.

Where can I get further assistance?

An Immigration New Zealand Client Manager is available to provide immigration, investment and settlement information. Just send an email to investors@dol.govt.nz.

How do I apply?

For application forms and details of what you’ll need to provide when making your application, click here.