UGLOBAL . COM 71
“ Australia ' s recent closure of its investor pathways positions New Zealand as an appealing alternative .
”
OVERVIEW OF THE NEW ZEALAND ACTIVE INVESTOR PLUS VISA
The AIP Visa requires a minimum investment amount of NZD 15 million , although a unique multiplier system can reduce it to as low as NZD 5 million depending on the types of investments chosen . During the investment period , applicants must spend at least 117 days in New Zealand .
New Zealand uses a multiplier system to incentivize direct and high-impact investments :
• Direct Investments receive the highest multiplier ( 3x ), encouraging investors to inject capital directly into New Zealand-based companies , especially in high-growth areas like technology and sustainable infrastructure .
• Managed Funds , including private equity and venture capital funds , are weighted at 2x , supporting diversified capital flows into innovative sectors with growth potential .
• Listed Equities and Philanthropic Contributions are capped at 50 % of the total investment amount and carry no multiplier , making them suitable for applicants seeking portfolio stability while meeting visa requirements .
Using the multiplier system , a direct investment of NZD 5 million , using the 3x multiplier , is considered to meet the NZD 15 million investment requirement .
Investment Type Multiplier
Maximum Allocation
Direct Investments 3x 100 %
Managed Funds 2x 100 %
Listed Equities 1x 50 %
Philanthropic Contributions
1x
50 %
A holding account concept under the Active Investor Plus ( AIP ) Visa allows applicants to place their funds in secure investments , such as New Zealand government bonds , term deposits , or call accounts , before committing to their final investment selections . This approach provides flexibility , as applicants can fulfill visa requirements while taking time to evaluate and select eligible investments that best align with their financial goals .
The AIP Visa also permits staged investments , where applicants allocate their capital in phases over the four-year investment period . For example , an applicant might initially place funds in a holding account , and then gradually move portions into direct investments , managed funds , or listed equities at set intervals . After the initial investment , which can be as low as NZD 100,000 , a full 50 % must be invested by the 18th month in the investment period , and the full 100 % must be invested by 36 months . As the investment period is four years , the full amount must only be invested from months 36 to 48 .
In summary , the AIP key requirements include :
• Base investment of NZD 15 million
•
• Minimum effective investment requirement of NZD 5 million ( using multipliers )
• Residency requirement of 117 days during the investment period
The investment timeline :
1 . Initial Investment ( Month 0 following initial approval in principle )
• Minimum investment of NZD 100,000 ( varies by type of investment )
2 . Mid-term Requirements
• 50 % of the total by Month 18
• 100 % invested by Month 36 3 . Final Period
• Full investment maintained from Month 36 to 48
LONG-TERM BENEFITS : FROM PERMANENT RESIDENCE TO TRANS-TASMAN ADVANTAGES
Residence visa applicants and their families enjoy a range of New Zealand ’ s resident benefits , including access to healthcare and education subsidies . Under the AIP , after completing the required investment period and meeting residence stay requirements , applicants can apply for permanent residence , granting them lifetime residency rights with no further obligations ( unlike many countries , including Australia , that place limitations upon the permanent residence travel facility ).
Additionally , visa holders are eligible for New Zealand citizenship after five years of residence . A New Zealand citizen has the right to live , work , and study in Australia without restriction and is eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after four years of residence .
In summary , the benefits include :
• Access to healthcare and education subsidies
• Indefinite permanent residence rights
• Path to citizenship after 5 years