New Zealand Immigration Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get residency by investment in New Zealand?

New Zealand provides two visa options to foreign high-net-worth individuals to gain residency: the Investor Visa and the Investor Plus Visa. Depending on the visa categories, there are different requirements on the investment amounts, maintaining periods, applicants’ business background, age and English proficiency.

How much do I have to invest to get residency in New Zealand?

Foreigners can choose to invest 3 million New Zealand dollars that must be maintained for four years to get an Investor Visa, or they must invest 10 million New Zealand dollars that must be maintained for three years to get an Investor Plus Visa.

How much do I have to invest to get citizenship in New Zealand?

New Zealand does not have a citizenship-by-investment program. Applicants who obtain investor visas and successfully maintain residency in the country for five years become eligible for citizenship.

What are the requirements for residency by investment in New Zealand?

In addition to making and maintaining the required investment in an acceptable investment vehicle, applicants for the Investor Visa must be under the age of 65, have previous business experience and demonstrate language proficiency. The Investor Plus Visa does not have any restriction on an applicant’s age, business experience and languages skills. Investors under both visa categories must also meet the physical presence requirement.

How long does it take to get residency by investment in New Zealand?

It usually takes three to six months for an application to be processed. After being approved in principle, investors have 12 months to transfer the required investment to New Zealand.

How long does it take to get citizenship by investment in New Zealand?

Investors become eligible to apply for citizenship after spending at least 1,350 days in New Zealand during the preceding five years before the submission of a citizenship application, with no fewer than 240 days each year in the country.

How many countries can I visit with a New Zealand passport?

A passport issued by New Zealand grants its holder visa-free access to 184 destinations.

Do I have to be present in New Zealand before getting the residency-by-investment application approved?

Applicants are not required to be present in New Zealand while their visa applications are being processed. After being approved in principle, investors have 12 months to travel to New Zealand and transfer the required investment to the investment project of their choice.

Can I add my spouse and children to my application?

Investors can include their spouses or partners as well as children aged 24 and under in their applications.

What are the criteria for my children to qualify for residency or citizenship in New Zealand?

Applicants’ children aged 24 and under can qualify as dependents for the residency-by-investment program of New Zealand.

Do I have the right to work in New Zealand after I obtain residency through this program?

Investor visa holders have the right to live, work and study in New Zealand.

Do I have to live in New Zealand to qualify for residency by investment?

Investor Visa holders must spend at least 438 days in New Zealand during the four-year investment maintenance period, or at least 146 days each year during the last three years of the maintenance period. For Investor Plus Visa holders, the physical presence requirement reduces to 88 days over the three-year maintenance period, or 44 days each year during the last two years of the maintenance period.

What is the tax situation after obtaining New Zealand residency?

Tax residents of New Zealand are obliged to pay taxes on their worldwide income. An investor becomes a tax resident of New Zealand when they spend more than 183 days during any 12-month period, or when they obtain a permanent abode.

What can I invest in to gain citizenship by investment in New Zealand?

Acceptable investment vehicles for investor visas of New Zealand include bonds, equities, properties, philanthropic investment, angel funds, trusts, companies or limited partnerships.

How long do I have to wait before I can sell my investment in New Zealand?

Investor Visa holders must maintain their investments for four years, while Investor Plus Visa holders are required to keep their investments for three years.

Will my New Zealand citizenship expire?

Investors’ New Zealand citizenship does not expire unless it is deprived of them by the Minister of Internal Affairs. New Zealand allows dual citizenship.