Necessary Information About New Zealand Residence-by-Investment

Residence can be obtained by investing between NZD 3 million and NZD 10 million in acceptable investments and maintaining these investments in New Zealand for at least four and three years, respectively, for an Investor 2 resident visa and an Investor 1 resident visa.

Advantages Of The New Zealand Residence-by-Investment Program

• High standards of living, multicultural population, and low population density
• Political, social, and economic stability
• Solid legal system based on English law
• Strong tax treaty network with a large number of counterparties

Requirements Of New Zealand Residence-by-Investment

Applicants can live, work, and study in New Zealand under the Investor 1 and Investor 2 resident visa programs. In their applications, applicants can include their spouse and dependant children aged 24 and under.

Investor 1 Resident Visa

• To apply for New Zealand residence under this program, an applicant must invest NZD 10 million in New Zealand over three years.
• There is no upper age limit, no language requirement, and no necessity for business experience.

Investor 2 Resident Visa

• This visa is applicable for experienced business people who are 65 years old or younger and have a minimum of NZD 3 million in available funds or assets. To assess eligibility, a points-based system is used.
• Applicants must invest at least NZD 3 million in an acceptable investment in New Zealand, to be held for four years.
• Applicants must have an English-speaking background or a test report from the International English Language Testing System with an overall band score of three or more, or they must be competent users of English.

Acceptable Investments

An acceptable investment is:

• investments that are capable of a commercial return
• not for the personal use of the applicant(s)
• invest in New Zealand in an NZD amount
• invested in lawful enterprises or managed funds
• one that has the potential to contribute to the economy

Acceptable investments include:

• bonds issued by the New Zealand government or local authorities
• firms traded on the New Zealand debt securities market
• firms with at least a BBB or equivalent rating
• registered banks
• finance companies

Investments can also be made inequity in New Zealand companies (public or private, including managed funds), registered banks, & residential property development(s). Applicants can nominate a mix of funds and/or assets in which they would like to invest.

Procedures & Time Frame Of The New Zealand Residence-by-Investment Program

The procedures and time frames for the Investor 1 and Investor 2 resident visa programs are reasonably straightforward with specialist assistance.

Investor 1 Resident Visa

• Applicants apply for a resident visa directly to Immigration New Zealand, without the need for an expression of interest (EOI). 
• Depending on the quality of the information provided as well as security and health checks, approval in principle is usually given within three to four months.
• Immigration New Zealand will only approve in principle, and the visa will not be issued until the funds have been transferred and invested, and evidence of this has been submitted to the agency. Within 2 to 4 weeks, the resident visa could be issued.
• Successful applicants must spend at least 44 days in each of the last two years of the three-year investment period in New Zealand, or 88 days over the entire three-year period if they invest at least NZD 2.5 million in growth investments.
• If all of the conditions for the first two years of the two-year investment period are met, the applicant can request for a variation of conditions to allow travel in and out of New Zealand for another two years.
• If the conditions for permanent residency are completed at the end of the 3-year investment period, the applicant and family members can apply for a resident visa that is valid for life.

Investor 2 Resident Visa

• An expression of interest (EOI) must be sent to Immigration New Zealand, outlining the applicant's personal details, business experience, and investment funds.
• If the EOI is approved, the applicant, their spouse, and/or dependents will be invited to apply for residency in New Zealand. Invites are usually sent out within two weeks of the selection of an EOI.
• The applicant will have four months to submit his or her application after being invited to do so.
• In most cases, an approval in principle is granted within 8 to 12 months, although it is reliant on the quality of the information provided, as well as security and health checks.
• Immigration New Zealand will only approve in principle; the visa will not be issued until the funds have been transferred and invested, and evidence of this has been submitted to the agency; after that, the visa may be issued within two to four weeks.
• At the end of the second and fourth years of the applicant's residence in New Zealand, evidence that the invested funds have been maintained will be required.
• If the main applicant invests at least NZD 750,000 in growth investments, they must accumulate 146 days in each of years two, three, and four of the investment period, or 438 days over the entire four-year investment period.

Citizenship In New Zealand

Applicants who have previously obtained residency in New Zealand under either of the resident visa programs are eligible for citizenship after spending at least 1,350 days in the country during the preceding five years, with at least 240 days of physical presence per year.

Please feel free to get in touch with Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd., the top Immigration Lawyer in New Plymouth, if you have any questions in this matter. Our team of experienced and licensed immigration advisers is here to assist and navigate you on all your immigration-related queries and confusions. Please contact us by sending an email at contact@nzimmigration.info or call us on +64 9 379 0219.