New Zealand Golden Visa

New Zealand Golden Visa

• New Zealand Golden Visa is steadily going on the rise. New Zealand is famous for its stable economy, better quality of life, and investor-friendly business policies. As a result, several investors and business owners explore opportunities to relocate to New Zealand through the New Zealand Golden Visa and opt to register company in New Zealand. Although the country officially does not call this visa a “Golden Visa”, the term is used on a regular basis in order to describe its investor visa categories that create a pathway to residency and eventually citizenship in the country. The page provides a detailed guide to the New Zealand Golden Visa, discussing advantages, timeline, eligibility criteria, step-by-step application process, and how Tetra Consultants can help you throughout the journey.  

What is the New Zealand Golden Visa? 

• The New Zealand Golden Visa refers to an informal term that stands for the official investment residency program, which is popularly known as the “Active Investor Plus Visa”. This visa allows high-net-worth individuals to attain New Zealand residency by making a major financial investment and contributing to the country’s economy.  

• The Active Investor Plus Visa was launched in September 2022, in order to replace the older visa category and align more closely to the economy and innovation goals of the country. The visa enables foreign individuals to attain New Zealand’s residency by making an investment in New Zealand-based businesses and ventures. Unlike the traditional visa program, which usually focuses on real estate investments, the investor visa of New Zealand focuses on active contributions to the business landscape, especially in the growth-oriented sectors.  

Advantages of the New Zealand Golden Visa

• Opting for the New Zealand Golden Visa offers multiple advantages, which makes it a desirable choice for global investors: 

Pathway to permanent residency and citizenship  

• Visa holders can also apply for permanent residency after maintaining their investment and fulfilling the requirement for residency years (3 years for growth, and 5 years for balanced). After a period of five years of residency, the option for citizenship becomes available, considering that the standard requirements are fulfilled.  

Better quality of life  

• New Zealand is known for its political, social, and economic stability. The country provides a better quality of life, safety, as well as access to an excellent education and healthcare system.  

Flexible residency  

• The time-in-country requirements for the Golden Visa are considered to be the lowest when compared to other top-tier investment visas. As little as 21 days in New Zealand over the period of three years under the Growth Category, or 105 days over the duration of five years under the Balanced Category. This flexibility allows global investors to get a primary residence elsewhere without sacrificing their New Zealand status.  

Broad investment choices and diversification  

• Through the Balanced Category, the scheme enables investments across bonds, equities, philanthropy, property development, as well as approved funds or businesses. This allows visa holders to personalize their portfolios for both growth and risk management goals.  

Family inclusion  

• The main applicant can also include their partner and children up to the age of 24 years in the visa, which facilitates family migration.  

Favorable tax regime  

• New Zealand levies no capital gains, wealth, gift, or estate tax. Furthermore, new residents also benefit from a four-year transitional tax exemption on foreign-sourced income.  

Timeline to get a New Zealand Golden Visa

• The procedure to get New Zealand Golden Visa usually spans over 8 to 10 months based on individual circumstances as well as government processing times. The journey starts with an initial consultation and profile evaluation which takes at least 1-2 weeks, followed by the preparation of your Expression of Interest (EOI), which takes another 2-3 weeks. If it is shortlisted, then you can expect to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) within 4-8 weeks. The time taken for preparing full application and its submission usually takes 3-4 weeks. After submitting, the stage of investment transfer and verification takes longer time, that is around 6 months. Finally, the visa is approved which takes around 1-2 months.  

• At Tetra Consultants, we provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees. While the complete cost of getting the New Zealand Golden Visa differ on the basis of type of investment, our team makes sure that all the charges are clearly communicated from the start, so you know exactly what you are paying for. 

Eligibility Criteria for New Zealand Golden Visa

• Here is a range of criteria that applicants should meet in order to qualify for the New Zealand Golden Visa: 

Minimum investment  

• The minimum investment requirement for the Growth Category is at least NZ$5 million in direct business investments or approved managed funds (they should be sanctioned by the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise).  

• The minimum investment requirement for the Balanced Category is at least NZ$10 million in a broader range of assets, which consists of equities, bonds, philanthropy, property development, and Growth Category investments.  

Physical presence  

• For the Growth Category, applicants will have to spend at least 21 days in New Zealand over a period of three years.  

• For a Balanced Category, applicants will have to spend at least 105 days in New Zealand over a period of five years.  

Fund transfer requirement  

• After getting approval in principle, funds should be transferred to New Zealand and fully invested within a duration of 6 months.  

Investment period  

• For the Growth Category, the investment should be maintained for at least three years.  

• For a Balanced Category, the visa should be maintained for at least five years.  

Fit and proper person  

• Applicants should fulfill the health and character requirements (no criminal record and good health) in order to qualify for the visa.  

Lawful source of funds  

• Applicants should prove that the investment funds are lawfully earned or acquired. Administrative requirements and family inclusion  

• The main applicant can include their partner as well as dependent children up to the age of 24.  

• There is no capital or quota requirement in applications.  

• The visa categories do not have an English language requirement, and no age limit.  

Investment options for the New Zealand Golden Visa

• The updated New Zealand Golden Visa program provides two clear investment pathways, these are: 

Growth Category  

• The minimum investment for this visa is NZ$5 million, and the duration of investment is three years. The acceptable sources of investments for the Growth Category are direct investments in New Zealand-owned businesses, such as shares in privately owned New Zealand companies, participation in business management and development.  

• Applicants can also invest in approved managed funds controlled by New Zealand authorities. This consists of venture capital, private equity, or similar funds vetted and approved by the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.  

Balanced category 

• The minimum investment amount for this visa is NZ$10 million and the duration of investment is 5 years. Under this visa, applicants can invest in a wide range of asset classes, which consist of: 
  • Listed equities, shares on New Zealand or approved international stock exchanges.  
  • Direct business investments.  
  • Bonds, regulated by the New Zealand government, municipal, or even approved corporate bonds.  
  • Philanthropy, specifically in New Zealand-based charities.  

• For property development, applicants can invest in new residential developments, or new or existing commercial or even industrial developments, which add value, like repurposing or earthquake strengthening.  

• However, in the Balanced Category, a minimum of 75% committed investment should be listed in equities or bonds, while no more than 25% of investments can be in cash or term deposits, which are held with the New Zealand registered banks.  

Step-by-step application process

• At Tetra Consultants, the application procedure for the New Zealand Golden Visa was carefully created to ensure legitimacy, adherence, as well as efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide, and how we can help you: