Investor Interest Surges Following NZ’s Revamped Golden Visa Settings

In a notable shift from previous years, New Zealand’s recently updated investor visa category is attracting significant global interest. Since the government implemented new, more flexible settings in April 2025, nearly 200 applications have been received under the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa scheme - almost doubling the total number submitted under the older, more restrictive regime over a span of more than two years.

This dramatic uptick underscores New Zealand’s growing appeal as a secure, business-friendly destination with long-term economic potential. The revamped scheme offers two investment pathways: the Growth category, requiring a $5 million investment over three years into higher-risk options such as managed funds and direct business investments; and the Balanced category, which allows lower-risk investments with a minimum $10 million commitment over five years.

Economic Development Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed the surge in interest, noting that New Zealand is increasingly being recognised as a place where capital can work effectively. “In a competitive global landscape for capital and talent, New Zealand is standing out as a smart, forward-looking economy,” she said.

From an immigration perspective, this surge in investor interest is a critical signal that New Zealand’s policy recalibration is achieving its intended effect - attracting not just funds, but individuals with a long-term commitment to building lives and businesses in New Zealand.

The immigration process itself has been significantly streamlined under the new visa settings, with clearer criteria, more flexible investment rules, and a broader scope of qualifying investments, including in listed equities, private capital markets, and direct business participation.

So far, 100 applications have been approved in principle, with seven already finalising their investments and being granted residency. These early approvals are paving the way for a wider cohort of applicants poised to follow. The full 189 applications currently in play suggest a potential inflow of up to $845 million in investment. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford noted that 200 applications in the first year would have been considered a success—reaching that threshold in just ten weeks highlights the significant demand.

This investor category also offers notable benefits for accompanying family members, including residence rights for spouses and dependent children, making it an attractive pathway for globally mobile families seeking long-term stability in a safe and prosperous country. Furthermore, successful applicants are eligible to transition to permanent residency, and eventually citizenship, assuming they meet time-in-country and other standard requirements.

At McSweeney Immigration Law New Zealand (MILNZ), we are seeing first-hand the effects of these changes. We are currently engaging with a growing number of investor migrants—particularly those who are drawn to New Zealand for its political stability, lifestyle, and the opportunity to invest in a maturing market with solid governance and a strong legal system. Our clients appreciate the clarity, predictability, and expanded options that the new settings provide, and we are working closely with them to ensure their immigration goals are met.

If you're considering residency through investment, now is the time to explore your options. With interest in the new settings rising sharply and policy momentum on the side of economic development, McSweeney Immigration Law is ready to assist you with tailored, strategic advice to make your move to New Zealand a reality. Contact us today to take the first step or book an online consultation to discuss your eligibility. Let us support you through every stage of the visa process.