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New Zealand Investor Plan Update Adds New Ways to Invest

On 1 April 2025, the New Zealand government introduced a streamlined investment program, replacing the previous complex regulations with two clearly defined categories: Growth and Balanced. This initiative is designed to attract capital that contributes directly to the development of businesses, job creation, and the strengthening of local communities. Investors who meet the criteria and commit to the program over a period of twenty-one days within three years may qualify for permanent residence, offering a stable and long-term opportunity for their families.

Stylised compass superimposed over the Road along Lake Wakatipu Queenstown New Zealand

Policy in One Glance

Feature	Growth	Balanced
Minimum capital	NZ$ 5 m	NZ$ 10 m
Investment term	3 years	5 years
Eligible assets	Direct & managed funds, unlisted equity, philanthropy	All Growth assets + bonds + qualifying property
Days in NZ	21 days total	105 days total†
Stay-day discounts	—	Invest NZ$ 11 m → 91 daysNZ$ 12 m → 77 daysNZ$ 13 m → 63 days
One-time category switch?

† Balanced day count may drop as shown above when you add extra funds.

Growth Category for Builders and Backers

Core Requirements

Commit at least NZ$ 5 m into qualifying Growth assets.
Transfer and invest within six months of Approval-in-Principle (AIP). Extensions are possible once, for another six months, if banking proof shows genuine effort.
Spend 21 days in-country across the three-year term—think one extended holiday or three short annual trips.
Keep the funds active for the full term; passive parking in term deposits is allowed only as an “on-call” bridge while a managed fund readies capital placement.

Why It Suits the Global Sprinter

You might run operations in Singapore, attend conferences in New York, yet still inject venture cash into a Christchurch biotech. Growth lets you stay light on your feet while anchoring a stake in Kiwi innovation.

Balanced Category — Diversification with Impact

Panorama shot of the complex rising along Aucklands waterfront

Key Numbers

NZ$ 10 m minimum; NZ$ 13 m unlocks the shortest stay.
Five-year horizon gives your capital time to mature in bonds, property, and equities.
105-day base residency—about two weeks per year—keeps you connected without uprooting your life.

Day-Count Discounts Explained

The discount is linear: every extra NZ$ 1 m above NZ$ 10 m, up to NZ$ 13 m, shaves 14 days off your five-year in-country obligation. Investors often align that extra tranche with earthquake-strengthening projects or green industrial retrofits, turning a statutory box-tick into public good.

Property as a Passport

The crane-flecked skyline of Auckland is more than a postcard; it is now an eligible asset class.

Residential Projects
- Must add housing stock—new apartments, terraced homes, or modular builds.
- Excludes flips of existing dwellings.
Commercial & Industrial Upgrades
- Funding seismic retrofits, solar panel roll-outs, or brown-field conversions qualifies.
- Land Banking without improvement does not.

Here, bricks turn into visas while also putting roofs over heads and jobs on payrolls.

Bonds, Equities & Philanthropy

Growth retains its full menu of start-up equity, angel funds, and charitable gifts; Balanced diners may add investment-grade bonds for stability. The mix delivers both yield and purpose, letting you hedge risk without diluting community benefit.

The Six-Month Clock & ‘On-Call’ Capital

Once your AIP letter arrives, the 180-day stopwatch begins. Capital must be both landed and allocated within that span. If your chosen managed fund cannot call the full sum at once, you may park cash in:

Short-term term deposits (≤ 6 months)
Bank accounts (same limit)
Listed equities

Switching Categories

Market winds shift. If your Balanced real-estate project stalls, you may shift to Growth; equally, a Growth investor can widen into Balanced. One switch is allowed before residence is granted. Move early, document fully.

No More English Test

Investor feedback landed: the 2022 language requirement fell away on 1 April 2025. Health and character checks remain, but your business plan now bears the weight, not an IELTS score.

Transition Tracks for Earlier Filers

Active Investor Plus Applicants (Pre-April 2025)
- Decision deadline: 31 May 2025 to withdraw and re-file under new rules.
- Fees waived; extra documents may be requested.
Investor 1 & 2 Applicants
- Must lodge a fresh file under the new form.
- Previous capital counts, but top-ups close the gap to NZ$ 5 m or NZ$ 10 m.
- New application fee applies; investment clock restarts.

Existing Resident Visa Holders

Already a resident? You can apply again under new settings to lock in lighter day counts or wider assets. Meet every condition of your current visa until approval, or risk deportation.

Family Benefits

A baby born while you hold the visa may secure a Dependent Child Resident Visa immediately. Two years later, you include the child in your Permanent Residence bid—turning the nursery into a long-term stake in New Zealand’s future.

Your Guided Route — From ETA to Investor Visa

Smiling Advisor With Paperwork Sitting On Desk In A Meeting

Secure your ETA in minutes— start with the NZ ETA Application Form.
Clarify your strategy: Growth or Balanced? We model both.
Document the money trail: bank letters, sale deeds, audit reports.
Open a New Zealand bank account early; compliance checks can run weeks.
File the visa application— scan every figure, every footnote.
Six-month investment sprint: liaise with fund managers, property developers, and the Overseas Investment Office to hit each milestone.
Permanent residence hand-over: celebrate with a Waiheke cabernet.

Pre-Flight Checklist

Passport valid ≥ 6 months beyond lodgement.
Proof that funds are owned and transferable.
Police certificates from every jurisdiction lived in ≥ 12 months.
Evidence of maintained medical insurance.
Draft NZ-based address (hotel, serviced apartment, or leased home) for initial visits.

Conclusion

New Zealand offers more than scenic trails; it offers a partnership grounded in fairness, solid rules, and now, clearer investment lines. Whether your passion lies in esports software, next-gen agritech, or green buildings, the refreshed Investor Plan invites you to weave your capital into New Zealand's national tapestry. Bring foresight, bring diligence and focus on building value from Cape Reinga to the Bluff. All the best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will dropping English exams speed approvals?
Removing that test removes one file from the checklist, so well-prepared applications move faster—yet completeness still rules.
Can I spread NZ$ 5 m across several Growth start-ups?
Yes, provided each target meets Growth criteria and the total hits or exceeds the threshold.
Is property under Balanced restricted to certain cities?
No. Any location is fine, so long as the project adds net housing or improves commercial/industrial stock.
What if banking delays push me past six months?
Apply for the one-off six-month extension, attaching proof of every transfer attempt and correspondence.
Do my spouse’s days count toward my stay tally?
No. Each principal applicant must meet the day count personally, though family may accompany you.

Content Disclaimer: This content was refreshed in April 2025. Please confirm all travel details with the New Zealand embassies, agencies, and airlines for complete accuracy.

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