Investment — Asia & Pacific

🇳🇿New Zealand

Active Investor Plus Visa

Last verified · 31 May 2026

Refurbished April 2025 — two-band investor scheme (Growth and Balanced) replacing the old direct/passive split.

Duration

Permanent on grant

Threshold

Growth: NZ$5M over 3 years (min 21 days in NZ) — or Balanced: NZ$10M over 5 years (min 105 days)

Application fee

NZ$27,470

Path to PR

Permanent on grant; citizenship at 5 years with presence.

Tax treatment

Transitional resident exemption — 4 years tax-free on most foreign income.

Family

Family included; partners can work and study.

Required documents

·Source-of-funds evidence (audited)
·Investment plan into NZ-managed funds or direct businesses

Things to know

·Growth category: NZ$5M into higher-risk investments, min 21 days in NZ over 3 years.
·Balanced category: NZ$10M into broader mix, min 105 days in NZ over 5 years.
·Direct investments include private equity and listed companies.

Apostille & legalization

Apostille route

Apostille only — both United States and New Zealand are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.

Apostille / legalisation

None of the listed documents are civil-status, criminal-record, medical or academic records, so an apostille is generally not required for this visa. Bank statements, employment contracts and application forms are accepted as-is (translated when needed).

Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.

Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
Translate the apostilled document into the official language of New Zealand — the apostille itself is also translated.
Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the New Zealand immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.

Translation: Most documents must be translated into the local language by a certified translator. Agency translations are usually accepted.

Issuing authority in United States: U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications

Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.

Official immigration portal

Last verified 31 May 2026 — reconfirm on the official portal before applying.