New Zealand is making significant changes to its “golden visa” program, officially known as the Active Investor Plus visa, to attract high-net-worth individuals. The government has announced that from April 1, the visa will be streamlined into two categories, with a broader range of acceptable investments. Most notably, the English language requirement will be removed, making it easier for immigrants to qualify.
Why is New Zealand Changing its Investor Visa?
After experiencing a recession in 2024, New Zealand’s government is focused on economic recovery. One major challenge has been a shortfall in available capital, which has prompted a revision of foreign investment regulations. The government aims to attract wealthy individuals who can contribute to the country’s economy while taking advantage of the country’s stable and secure environment.
Key changes to the visa program include:
- Scrapping the English language test, making the visa more accessible to non-English-speaking investors.
- Adjusting the required time investors must spend in New Zealand, offers more flexibility.
- Expanding the types of acceptable investments creates more opportunities for foreign capital to flow into the economy.
The Impact of Previous Investor Visa Rule Changes
The Active Investor Plus visa has historically brought in an average of NZ$1 billion ($570 million) annually. However, interest dropped sharply after rule changes in late 2022. Since then, only 43 applications have been fully approved, contributing just NZ$545 million in nominated investment funds. The amount transferred into New Zealand was even lower, raising concerns about the visa’s effectiveness under the previous regulations.
Why New Zealand?
According to Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, these changes are designed to make New Zealand a more appealing option for investors who seek a safe and stable business environment.
“Capital is highly mobile and in an increasingly complex world, people are looking for a safe and stable country to do business. We are now making our investor visa simpler and more flexible to incentivize investors to choose New Zealand as a destination.”
By removing the English requirement and making the Active Investor Plus visa more flexible, New Zealand is positioning itself as a prime destination for wealthy investors. These changes are expected to revive interest in the investor visa program and bring much-needed capital into the country, helping drive economic recovery and long-term growth.
For high-net-worth individuals looking for a new home and business opportunities, New Zealand’s revamped golden visa could be the perfect gateway to a prosperous future.
Contact RBS Immigration today for expert guidance on securing your New Zealand Investor Visa!