19 May 2012
Investor Plus FAQs
What documentation needs to be provided for everyone on my residence application?
For every person included in the application you must provide:
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Two passport-size photographs
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Photocopies of the identity pages of their passport
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A full birth certificate
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You must show that everyone included in the application meets our health requirements by submitting a completed medical and chest X-ray certificate
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You must show that everyone included in the application who is aged 17 or more meets our character requirements by providing police certificates from their country(ies) of citizenship, and all countries they have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. This includes countries where the stay has been broken by short departures.
Evidence of your partnership:
If your partner is also applying on your application form, you need to show that you have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months.
Evidence you live together might include original or certified copies of documents showing shared accommodation - such as joint ownership of residential property, joint tenancy agreement, or correspondence (including postmarked envelopes) addressed to both you and your partner at the same address.
What are the requirements for investment funds?
You must demonstrate ownership of your nominated funds and/or assets, and demonstrate that the nominated funds and/or assets have been legally earned or acquired. All invested funds must be placed in an acceptable investment(s).
Can I nominate funds that have been gifted to me?
You may nominate funds and/or assets which have been given to you unconditionally and in accordance with local law. You will need to show that your donor acquired those funds and/or assets lawfully.
If some of your funds and/or assets have been acquired by inheritance you will need to provide appropriate evidence, e.g. probate or evidence from your solicitor, to show that they were acquired lawfully.
What is an ‘acceptable’ investment?
An acceptable investment is defined as investment that is:
In either one or more of the following:
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Bonds issued by the New Zealand government or local authorities, or
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Bonds issued by New Zealand firms traded on the New Zealand Debt Securities Market (NZDX), or
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Bonds issued by New Zealand firms with at least a BBB- or equivalent rating from internationally recognised credit rating agencies (for example, Standard and Poor’s), or
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Equity in New Zealand firms (public or private), including managed funds, or
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Bonds issued by New Zealand registered banks, or
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Equities in New Zealand registered banks, or
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Residential property development(s) (subject to additional criteria); or
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Bonds in finance companies (subject to additional criteria), and
Capable of a commercial return under normal circumstances, and
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Invested in New Zealand in New Zealand currency, and
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Has the potential to contribute to New Zealand’s economy, and
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Is invested in lawful enterprises or managed funds that comply with all relevant laws in force in New Zealand, and
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Not for the personal use of the applicant(s).
Note: that for the purpose of the business migration visas, convertible notes are considered an equity investment.
For the purposes of ‘acceptable investment’, residential property development(s) is defined as property(ies) in which people reside and is subject to the following conditions:
a. the residential property must be in the form of new developments on either new or existing sites; and
b. the residential property(ies) cannot include renovation or extension to existing developments; and
c. the new developments must have been approved and gained any required consents by any relevant regulatory authorities (including local authorities); and
d. the purpose of the residential property investments must be to make a commercial return on the open market; and
e. neither the family, relatives, nor anyone associated with the principal investor, may reside in the development; and
f. the costs associated with obtaining any regulatory approval (including any resource or building consents) are not part of the principal applicant’s acceptable investments.
Investment in bonds in finance companies may be considered where the finance company:
a. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of,
b. raises capital solely for, and
c. has all its debt securities unconditionally guaranteed by
a New Zealand Stock Exchange listed company or a local authority.
How do you define managed funds?
Managed funds are defined as either:
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A managed fund investment product offered by a financial institution; or
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Funds invested in equities that are managed on an investor's behalf by a fund manager or broker.
In order to be acceptable as a form of investment, managed funds must be invested only in New Zealand companies. Managed fund investments in New Zealand with international exposure are acceptable only for the proportion of the investment that is invested in New Zealand companies.
Example: Only 50% of a managed fund that equally invests in New Zealand and international equities would be deemed to be an acceptable investment.
What is meant by personal use of investment funds?
Personal use includes a personal residence, car, boat or similar assets.
If my application for residence is approved in principle within what timeframe do I have to invest my funds in New Zealand?
You should transfer your total investment funds to New Zealand and invest them in acceptable investments within 12 months.
If you cannot liquidate your assets, transfer and invest your funds in New Zealand within 12 months of approval in principle, you may request a further 12 months to do so.
If you do not transfer your funds within 12 months (or 24 months if extended) your application must then be declined.
Can I come to New Zealand to investigate investment opportunities once my application has been approved in principle?
Once your application is approved in principle you are eligible for a 12-month multiple entry work visa to come to New Zealand to investigate investment opportunities.
If applicable, your partner and children are eligible for multiple entry visitor’s visas for the same period. If your children wish to study during this period they will have to apply for a student visa and meet student requirements.
A further 12-month multiple entry work visa is available if needed.
Where can I get more detailed information? Visit Immigration New Zealand’s business migration visa section: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/invest/.
Or phone Immigration New Zealand:
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0508 55 88 55 if you are within New Zealand but outside of Auckland
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09 914 4100 if you are calling from Auckland
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Or dial 011 64 508 55 88 55 if you are calling from outside of New Zealand OR
Or Email: investors@dol.govt.nz.
