New Zealand: New Active Investor Visa Forthcoming

CHANGE

DETAILS

IMPACT

Discontinuation of Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa categories

The immigration authorities have now stopped accepting applications for the Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas and will start accepting applications for the new Active Investor Plus visa category starting September 19, 2022.

• All applicants who have successfully submitted their Investor 1 and Investor 2 visa applications prior to their discontinuation on July 27, 2022 will continue to have their applications processed.

• All other potential applicants, however, must submit their applications through the new Active Investor Plus visa category system when it opens on September 19, 2022.

Eligibility requirements emphasize active investment

• Applicants must provide at least NZD 15,000,000 as an investment in addition to other requirements to be eligible for the new Active Investor Plus visa category.
• Under the new system, the immigration authorities will assign more weight to direct investments, which will receive a 3x multiplier per dollar invested as compared to indirect investments, such as private equity and venture capital funds or listed equities and philanthropy (which only gets a 2x and 1x multiplier per dollar invested, respectively). The new system excludes bonds and property from being eligible asset classes for visa eligibility.
• The New Zealand government will confirm the complete eligibility criteria for each investment class soon.

Applicants will benefit from a new system that will allow them the option to choose a preferred asset class, which will allow them to multiply each dollar invested depending on the type of asset class. Priority will be given to those who directly invest in eligible assets.

New English language requirement

Applicants will be required to have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 5.0 to ensure that investors are able to share and communicate their knowledge and skills as well as engage in the New Zealand business network.

Applicants must now ensure that they have the required English language proficiency and accreditation, where it was previously not required for investor visa applicants.