Figures below come from the Immigration New Zealand visa page, checked on 8 November 2026. The fee starts from NZD 27,470 (about $16,400), and 80% of approvals in principle are decided within 11 weeks.
Growth vs Balanced category
Both categories lead to the same resident visa. The difference is how much you put in, how long it stays, what you can invest in and how much time you spend in the country.
| Rule | Growth | Balanced |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | NZD 5 million | NZD 10 million |
| Investment period | At least 36 months | At least 60 months |
| Days in New Zealand | 21 days as a resident | 105 days as a resident |
| What you can invest in | Direct investments, managed funds, philanthropy (max 20%) | All Growth options plus listed equities, bonds and property developments |
| Permanent residence | Apply after 3 years | Apply after 5 years |
Growth asks for half the money and a fifth of the days, but it limits you to riskier assets. Balanced lets you hold listed shares and bonds, at the cost of twice the capital tied up for longer.
Minimum investment and the 1 April 2025 changes
The current settings started on 1 April 2025. Before that the minimum was NZD 15 million. The change announcement cut the minimum, split the visa into Growth and Balanced, reduced the time you have to spend in New Zealand, removed the English requirement and added bonds and property-type investments to the Balanced category.
You have to keep the money invested for the whole period: at least 36 months for Growth and 60 months for Balanced. Immigration New Zealand asks for evidence at 24 months and again at the end, and you get 3 months to provide each one.
Time in New Zealand requirement
Growth investors need at least 21 days in New Zealand as a resident visa holder over the 36 months. Balanced investors need at least 105 days over 60 months. If you put an extra NZD 1 million into Growth investments, philanthropy excluded, you can take 14 days off the requirement, up to a maximum of 42 days.
Your resident visa lets you travel in and out for 4 years on Growth or 6 years on Balanced, counted from your first day in New Zealand.
English requirement
There is none for new applications. Immigration New Zealand's English test page says the requirement was removed and only covers people who applied before 1 April 2025.
Acceptable investments
Growth investments are direct investments in New Zealand businesses, managed funds and philanthropy, with philanthropy capped at 20% of the total. Balanced adds listed equities, bonds and property developments on top of those.
Property is narrow
Family: partner and children
You can include your partner and dependent children aged 24 and younger in one application. Everyone on the resident visa has to arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of it being granted.
Processing time and fees
- Fee: from NZD 27,470, about $16,400.
- Approval in principle: 80% within 11 weeks.
- Moving the money: 6 months from approval in principle to transfer your nominated funds. In some cases you can get another 6 months if you ask before the deadline and show you took reasonable steps.
- Permanent residence: you can apply after 3 years on Growth or 5 years on Balanced.
Add the approval in principle, the transfer window and the resident visa decision together and you are looking at most of a year. Get tax advice before you move anything. Transita gives estimates, not legal advice.
Golden visa New Zealand: how it compares
Investor visas elsewhere are cheaper and some ask for almost no time in the country. Our golden visa programmes guide puts them side by side, and citizenship by investment alternatives explains what investor routes lead to in passport terms.
If you do not have NZD 5 million to park, the skilled routes are the realistic way in. See Skilled Migrant vs Straight to Residence or check your points with the NZ Skilled Migrant points calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you need to invest for the New Zealand Active Investor Plus visa?
At least NZD 5 million in the Growth category, invested for at least 36 months, or at least NZD 10 million in the Balanced category, invested for at least 60 months.
How many days do you have to spend in New Zealand?
Growth investors need at least 21 days in New Zealand as a resident visa holder during the 36-month investment period. Balanced investors need at least 105 days during the 60-month period. Each extra NZD 1 million in Growth investments (not philanthropy) cuts the requirement by 14 days, up to 42 days.
Is there an English requirement for the Active Investor Plus visa?
No, not for applications made from 1 April 2025. Immigration New Zealand removed the English requirement in that change. It still applies to older applications that were not moved to the new settings.
Can I include my partner and children?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children aged 24 and younger. Family included in the resident visa must arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of the visa being granted.
How long does the Active Investor Plus visa take and what does it cost?
Immigration New Zealand lists the fee from NZD 27,470 (about $16,400) and decides 80% of approvals in principle within 11 weeks. You then have 6 months to transfer the funds.
Can I buy a house as my Active Investor Plus investment?
No. Property only counts in the Balanced category, and only new residential developments that add housing stock or commercial and industrial developments that add value. House and land packages and off the plan purchases are excluded.
Is the Active Investor Plus visa a golden visa?
It is New Zealand's investor residence visa, so people often call it that. It gives residence, not citizenship, and the money has to stay invested in New Zealand for the full period.
More guides
- New Zealand Tax for Expats in 2026: The Rates, What You Actually Pay, and How It Compares →
- India to New Zealand Immigration 2026: Complete Guide for Skilled Workers →
- Accredited Employer Work Visa NZ 2026: Fees & Rules →
- New Zealand Retirement Visa 2026: The Two Routes and What They Cost →
- NZ Skilled Migrant Category 2026: 6 Points Explained →
- New Zealand immigration guide →
- Active Investor Plus →
Checked on: the visa figures cited in this guide come from the Transita visa database, whose entries were last reviewed on 8 October 2026.
official sources: AIP · immigration.govt.nz