How to Apply for New Zealand Investor Visa

The New Zealand Investor Visa is meant for business people who want to migrate to New Zealand. Those who apply for the visa should possess significant funds that they are willing to invest in the local economy. People who seek to enter New Zealand with the help of investor visa must be able to show their intention to settle down permanently in New Zealand.

Categories of New Zealand Investor Visa

The New Zealand Investor Visa falls under one of the five categories of New Zealand’s business migration visas. There are two categories of the Investor Visa. They are:

Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category)

The Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) is intended for those business people who are willing to invest at least NZ$ 10 million (approx USD 8 million) in New Zealand. Such investors can directly apply for New Zealand residence under the Investor Plus (Investor 1) category.

Under this category, all members included in the investor’s residence application (family members) will be able to gain residence permission. However, they will be required to meet the eligibility criteria for character and health specified under the visa regulations.

The minimum investment of NZ$ 10 million will have to be invested in New Zealand for a period of 3 years. Under this category there is no condition of age, business or proficiency of English language for the applicant.

Investor (Investor 2 Category)

The Investor (Investor 2 Category) is intended for those who are willing to invest at least NZ$ 1.5 million (approx USD 1.1 million) in New Zealand. Investors under this category can apply for New Zealand residence.

The Government of New Zealand has decided on an annual quota of 300 applications under this category.

The minimum investment of NZ$ 1.5 million will have to be invested in New Zealand for a period of 4 years. Under this category a business person needs to have at least 3 years of business experience and the age of the business person must not exceed 65 years.

Lake Matheson @ Fox Glacier, New Zealand, New Zealand Investor Visa — Lake Matheson @ Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Duration of New Zealand Investor Visa

Successful Investor Visa applicants are granted permanent residence in New Zealand.

Eligibility Criteria for New Zealand Investor Visa

In order to be eligible for New Zealand visa via the Investor Visa category, you will need to fulfil the following criteria:

Category	Investor Plus (Investor 1)	Investor (Investor 2)
Minimum Fund Investment	NZ$ 10 million	NZ$ 1.5 million
Investment Period	3 years	4 years
Business Requirement	No Requirement	Minimum 3 years
Maximum Age	No Requirement	65 years or less
Settlement Funds	No Requirement	NZ$ 1 million
Principal Applicant’s English Language Ability	No Requirement	English speaking background or IELTS test score of 3+ or Competent user of English
Family Members’ English Language Ability	No Requirement	Same as Principal Applicant
Minimum Time in New Zealand	44 days in NZ in the 2 nd and 3 rd years of the 3 year investment period	146 days in NZ in the 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th years of the 4 year investment period
Health and Character	All applicants must meet the requirements	All applicants must meet the requirements

Apart from the above mentioned key eligibility conditions there are some more conditions that are to be met to obtain the Investor Visa. Further information can be obtained about eligibility by clicking on Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) and Investor (Investor 2 Category).

Steps to follow to apply for New Zealand Investor Visa

For New Zealand Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) Visa

Before you apply for New Zealand Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) Visa, read the guidelines for Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) Guide. Once you have read the document carefully, you can go ahead with the following procedure:

Step 1: Download Visa Application Form

Download the Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) Application Form for Residence.

Step 2: Fill Up the Visa Application Form

Carefully fill in the visa application form after reading the instructions in the application guide.

Step 3: Gather the relevant documents and photographs

Gather the relevant documents required to be submitted along with your visa application. You will also need two passport size colour photographs for submission along with the application form.

Step 4: Keep Application Fee ready

Keep the fee required for your visa application ready for submission.

Step 5: Submit the Visa Application Form

Submit your residence application form along with the required documents, photographs and application fee.

You can submit your residence application form directly (without any ‘expression of interest’ process) if you apply under the Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category).

You may either submit your application through your local Immigration New Zealand branch and they will forward it to the Business Migration Branch, or you can send the application directly to the Business Migration Branch.

Address

Business Migration Branch
Immigration New Zealand
PO Box 3705
Wellington, New Zealand

You are advised to keep a copy of your application form and send the original application form along with the documents through registered courier or registered post.

For New Zealand Investor (Investor 2 Category) Visa

Before you apply for New Zealand Investor (Investor 2 Category) Visa, read the guidelines for Investor (Investor 2 Category) Guide. Once you have read the document carefully, you can go ahead with the following procedure:

Step 1: Download Expression of Interest (EOI) form

Download Investor (Investor 2 Category) Expression of Interest form and fill it up carefully.

Step 2: Submit the EOI

Submit the form for Expression of Interest. You do not have to submit any supporting documentation along with your Expression of Interest

Step 3: Wait for Application form

After you submit an EOI, you will have to wait for an invitation from the concerned authorities to apply for residence. You will be sent a Residence Application Form and other information that will be helpful to complete the application form.

Step 4: Fill up the Residence Application Form

Fill up your residence application form after reading the guidelines carefully.

Step 5: Gather all supporting documents and photographs

Gather all the documents that support all of the claims made in your EOI form. You will also need two passport size colour photographs for submission along with the application form.

Step 6: Keep Application Fee ready

Keep the fee required for your visa application ready for submission.

Step 7: Submit the Application Form

Submit your residence application form along with the necessary documents, photographs and visa application fee to the Business Migration Branch.

Note that your residence application form must reach the Business Migration Branch within four months of the date of the letter inviting you to apply. You are advised to keep a copy of your application form.

Address

Business Migration Branch
Immigration New Zealand
PO Box 3705
Wellington, New Zealand

Required Fees for New Zealand Investor Visa

The required fees for the Visa depend on the country of your citizenship. You can get information about New Zealand Investor Visa fees from the New Zealand Fee Guide. For New Zealand Investor (Investor 2 Category) Visa fees you may also refer to Application Fees.

Note: Your application fee will not be refunded if your visa application is refused.

What to do after Residence Application for New Zealand is approved

After your residence application is approved in principle, you will need to follow the following:

You will get a timeframe of 12 months to transfer your nominated investment funds and invest them in New Zealand.
You will be required to invest them in an acceptable investment in New Zealand. You may apply to extend the timeframe if needed.
You will be able to apply for a work visa in order to travel to New Zealand and search for investment opportunities.
You will be required to maintain your investment funds in acceptable investments for three years in case of Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) visa and four years in case of Investor (Investor 2 Category) visa.
In case of Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category) visa, you will also be required to spend 44 days in New Zealand during the 2^nd and 3^rd year of your 3 year investment period.
In case of Investor (Investor 2 Category) visa, you will also be required to spend 146 days in New Zealand during the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th year of your 4 year investment period.
After the end of your investment period you will be required to provide evidence to the concerned authorities regarding your successful completion of the investment period.
You will then become eligible for a permanent resident visa for yourself and your family members included in your application form.
In case you fail to satisfy the investment requirements, you and your family members will be liable for deportation.

Dos and Don’ts for New Zealand Investor Visa Application

You need to remember the following dos and don’ts while applying for the visa.

Dos

Apply for New Zealand Investor Visa only if you intend to settle down permanently in New Zealand
Fill up your visa application form carefully with all accurate details

Don’ts

Do not present false documents for your investor visa
Do not hide or misrepresent facts in your visa application