New Zealand to tweak ‘golden visa’ rules to reel in more rich investors

The Active Investor Plus Visa that historically lured rich individuals to New Zealand and raked in an average NZ$1 billion (US$580 million) a year has languished after rule changes in 2022. Just 35 applications have been fully approved in the past two years, equating to NZ$352 million of nominated investment funds, according to data from Immigration New Zealand.

“We are conscious that the last government changed those settings and we saw a marked decline in the number of investors,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis said in an interview on Thursday in Wellington. “You can expect to see announcements from us on that in the coming weeks.”

Willis said the centre-right government has already progressed reforms to speed up overseas investment applications and will change legislation next year to emphasise that the nation requires foreign capital to achieve its economic objectives. She said investor migrants bring much more than just money.

“It’s also the networks, the expertise, the experience, the ideas that they bring with them,” Willis said. “There are many examples throughout the country where investor migrants, while they may make initial investments, then go on to make other investments and become more engaged in the economy in a range of ways which are helpful.”

Under current settings, applicants for the visa must commit to at least NZ$5 million of direct investment or NZ$15 million of passive investment such as in listed equities. That compared to a NZ$3 million starting threshold under the old criteria. Bonds and property, historically popular investments in New Zealand, are no longer eligible.