The Active Investor Plus Visa is New Zealand’s main residence pathway for high-value investors who want to make New Zealand their new home. It can be attractive for families seeking long-term stability, education opportunities and lifestyle, but the rules are technical and investment settings can change. This page gives you a clear overview only — for a personal strategy, Yimin can match you with an IAA-licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer.
What the Active Investor Plus visa is
The Active Investor Plus Visa is a New Zealand residence pathway for people who can invest a significant amount in acceptable New Zealand investments and meet the visa conditions set by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). It is designed to encourage investment that contributes to New Zealand’s economy, not simply passive wealth transfer.
In practical terms, the pathway usually involves proving the source of your funds, choosing acceptable investments, meeting health and character requirements, and keeping the investment in New Zealand for the required period. Residence may also come with time-in-New Zealand conditions, so it is important to understand both the immigration and investment commitments before you apply.
Yimin helps you understand the pathway at a high level and prepare for the right conversation. We do not provide personalised immigration advice or financial advice, but we can help you organise your questions and [start a free eligibility check](/eligibility-checker/) before speaking with a licensed professional.
Acceptable investment categories
Not every investment in New Zealand will count for Active Investor Plus. INZ sets rules for acceptable investments, and these may include categories such as direct investments into New Zealand businesses, managed funds, listed equities, bonds or other approved asset types, depending on the current policy settings.
A key point is that the type of investment matters. Some categories may be encouraged more strongly than others because they are seen as more active or growth-focused. The rules may also place limits on how much of your total investment can be made in lower-weighted or more passive assets.
Before moving money or committing to a product, check the current acceptable investment rules carefully. Our guide to [Active Investor Plus acceptable investments](/active-investor-plus-acceptable-investments/) explains the concept in more detail, but you should confirm the latest requirements with INZ, a licensed immigration adviser and appropriately qualified financial, tax and legal professionals.
Investment thresholds and weighting
The total amount you need to invest depends on how INZ weights different investment types. In simple terms, higher-impact or more active investments may count more favourably, while lower-weighted investments may require a larger nominal amount to meet the required threshold.
Because thresholds, categories and weightings can change, it is safer to think of this pathway as a structured investment framework rather than one fixed dollar figure. You may need to show that your funds are lawfully earned or acquired, can be transferred to New Zealand through the proper channels, and are invested in acceptable assets for the required period.
Evidence is often just as important as the amount. You may need bank records, business sale documents, tax records, company ownership documents, inheritance or gift records, audited accounts, and certified translations where relevant. For a deeper preparation checklist, see [proof of funds for a visa](/proof-of-funds-for-visa/). Figures on any website should be treated as general guidance only — always confirm current settings with INZ or a licensed adviser.
The application process
The process normally starts with eligibility orientation: do you appear to meet the broad investor, funds, health, character and family requirements? From there, a licensed adviser can help assess your situation, identify document gaps, and explain the current INZ process and timing.
The application may involve preparing identity documents, police certificates, medical information, evidence of your investment funds, proof of legal source of funds, and details of your intended investment approach. If documents are not in English, certified translations may be required. Complex wealth structures, overseas companies, trusts, asset sales or multi-jurisdiction tax histories often need careful explanation.
After an application is lodged, INZ may request further information. If approved in principle or under the relevant process, you will need to meet investment and transfer requirements within the time allowed. The exact steps can change, so treat this as a general roadmap rather than a substitute for personalised advice.
Bringing your family
Investor residence pathways generally allow eligible family members to be included, such as your partner and dependent children. Who can be included depends on INZ’s definitions and your family circumstances, including relationship evidence, dependency, age, custody arrangements and whether children meet the relevant criteria.
Family members usually need to meet health and character requirements. Partners may need evidence that the relationship is genuine and stable, such as shared address history, finances, communication records, travel records, photos and other supporting documents. Dependent children may require birth certificates, custody documents, adoption documents or evidence of financial dependency.
For many investor families, the immigration plan is also a life plan: schooling, university, property decisions, tax residency, business interests and long-term settlement. Yimin can help you prepare the right questions, then connect you with a licensed adviser who can confirm how your family should be included.
Investor vs entrepreneur routes
The Active Investor Plus route is different from an entrepreneur pathway. Investor residence focuses on making acceptable investments and meeting the relevant immigration conditions. Entrepreneur pathways are generally more focused on establishing or buying a business in New Zealand, operating it, and showing that the business meets immigration policy requirements.
The better route depends on your goals. If you want to be actively involved in building a New Zealand business, an entrepreneur route may be worth exploring. If your primary plan is to invest capital while building a family base in New Zealand, Active Investor Plus may be more relevant. Some people need to compare both before deciding.
There are also non-immigration considerations: tax, foreign exchange, commercial risk, company structure, asset protection and succession planning. Yimin does not provide financial, tax or legal advice, but our comparison guide on [investor vs entrepreneur visas](/investor-vs-entrepreneur-visa/) can help you frame the decision before you speak with licensed professionals.
Check your eligibility free
If you are considering Active Investor Plus, the first step is not to transfer money or commit to an investment product. The first step is to understand whether the pathway appears realistic for your circumstances and what evidence you may need.
Yimin’s [free eligibility checker](/eligibility-checker/) is designed as an indicative orientation tool. It can help you think through key factors such as your investment capacity, family situation, source-of-funds evidence, timing and whether you may need specialist support. It does not make a visa decision and it is not personalised immigration advice.
After your check, we can help match you with an IAA-licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer from our network for a free introductory conversation where available. They can confirm current INZ rules, explain your options and, if you choose to proceed, advise you on the application strategy.
Talk to a licensed adviser
Active Investor Plus applications can involve significant money, complex evidence and long-term family decisions. A licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer can give personalised advice on eligibility, process, risks and documentation based on your exact circumstances.
Yimin is a free, independent information and matching service. We are not a licensed immigration adviser and we do not provide personalised immigration advice, investment advice, tax advice or legal advice. Our role is to explain the pathway in plain English, help you understand what to prepare, and connect you with a regulated professional who can advise you properly.
If you are ready to explore New Zealand investor residence, [contact Yimin](/contact/) or complete the free eligibility check. We will help you take the next step with clarity, while making sure you speak to the right licensed professional before making decisions.
In plain English
In plain English: Active Investor Plus can be a strong residence pathway for investor families, but the investment rules and evidence are technical — start with Yimin’s free eligibility check and then speak with a licensed adviser before you act.
Yimin is a free, independent information and matching service. It is NOT a Licensed Immigration Adviser and does not provide personalised immigration or legal advice. Eligibility tools are indicative orientation only.
Read the full disclaimer →