19 May 2012
Criteria for Approval
Investor Plus (Investor 1 Category)
If you want to invest at least NZ$10 million in New Zealand, and you would like to apply for New Zealand residence, the Investor Plus category could be the best option for you.
You and everyone included in your residence application will have to meet our health and character requirements.
During the application process, you will need to provide verifiable evidence that you meet the Investor Plus criteria summarised below:
Investment funds and/or assets
The funds and/or assets you nominate in your residence application must be equivalent to at least NZ$10 million. You will have to provide evidence to show that these funds and/or assets:
- Are owned by you or jointly by you, your partner and/or dependent children
- Are unencumbered, i.e. not subject to any mortgage, lien, charge and/or encumbrance (whether equitable or otherwise) or any other creditor claims
- Have been earned or acquired legally
- Are transferable through the banking system, or through a foreign exchange company that uses the banking system (INZ will not be able to approve your application if you are unable to transfer funds to New Zealand through the banking system).
Once your application has been processed and you have received approval in principle, you will need to provide verifiable documents to show that the funds you transfer to New Zealand came from the funds and/or assets that you nominated. You will need to invest a minimum of NZ$10 million in an acceptable investment(s) in New Zealand.
You cannot nominate investment funds or assets you intend to bring to New Zealand for your personal use – for example a personal residence, car, or boat.
If your residence application is approved in principle
You (the principal applicant) will have 12 months to transfer your nominated investment funds and invest them in an acceptable investment in New Zealand.
Note: you can apply to have this timeframe extended and you can also apply for a work visa so you can travel to New Zealand to look into investment opportunities.
After residence is approved
You will need to retain your investment funds in an acceptable investment(s) for three years. You will have to spend at least 44 days in New Zealand each year in years 2 and 3 of your three-year investment period.
Find out more and apply
If you think you meet the requirements, find out how to apply. And for personal help, contact the Business Migration Branch Client Manager specifically for Investor Plus applicants by emailing investors@dol.govt.nz.
