Open (reforming)New Zealand
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa: Cost, Requirements & Processing Time (2026)
The short version
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa requires a minimum investment of €2,760,000 (company shares / equity route), with residency in ~2–4 months and a path to citizenship in 5 years.
Investment routes compared
| Route type | Amount (EUR) | Notes | Primary? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company shares / equity | €2,760,000NZD 5,000,000 | Growth category: managed funds, direct NZ business investments, angel/venture. Held 36 months. 21 days NZ presence required. | Most common |
| Capital transfer | €5,520,000NZD 10,000,000 | Balanced category: broader acceptable investments (listed equities, bonds, managed funds, qualifying property developments, philanthropy). Held 60 months. 105 days NZ presence (reducible with Growth allocation). |
At a glance
- €2,760,000 minimum qualifying investment
- ~2–4 months expected end-to-end processing
- 5 years of residence citizenship timeline
- No Schengen access travel rights
- ~7 days/yr physical-presence requirement
Physical presence: Growth: 21 days over 3 years (~7/yr). Balanced: 105 days over 5 years (~21/yr), reducible by 14 days per each additional NZD 1M in Growth allocation (max 42 days reduction).
Official program source · Source: Immigration New Zealand · Last verified Aug 7, 2026 (4 weeks ago) · Verify current rules with an authorized immigration adviser or the destination's consulate before applying.
Next review 2026-09-30.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
The minimum qualifying investment is €2,760,000. ~€2.76M (NZD 5M) Growth category (higher-risk investments); NZD 10M Balanced category (broader acceptable investments). Qualifying routes: Company shares / equity (€2,760,000); Capital transfer (€5,520,000) Most applicants use the Company shares / equity route (€2,760,000).
How long does the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa take to process?
Expected end-to-end processing is ~2–4 months. Two-stage at Immigration New Zealand: INZ averages ~35 working days to approval-in-principle, then ~36 working days to final approval once investment documentation is provided (~7 weeks each). A 6-month window to transfer funds sits between the stages, so end-to-end calendar time is applicant-paced. INZ publishes average working-day figures, not a percentile service standard.
Can I get citizenship through the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa, and when?
Citizenship is available after 5 years of legal residence. NZ citizenship requires 5 years of residence as a PR, with at least 240 days presence in each of those years. More restrictive than the visa's own presence requirement.
What is the physical-presence requirement for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
Growth: 21 days over 3 years (~7/yr). Balanced: 105 days over 5 years (~21/yr), reducible by 14 days per each additional NZD 1M in Growth allocation (max 42 days reduction).
Are my spouse and children included in the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
Spouse, minor children, dependent adult children can be included.
Does the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa grant Schengen access?
No. New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa does not by itself grant Schengen-area travel rights.
Is the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa currently open to new applicants?
The programme is currently open (reforming). Rules relaxed in 2025 — Growth category (NZD 5M) has much lower physical-presence requirement (21 days over 36 months).
Who regulates the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa?
New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa is administered by Immigration New Zealand. The canonical source is https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa/. Facts last verified 2026-08-07; next review 2026-09-30.