NZ’s ‘Golden Visa’ Attracts $845M in Investment as Global Interest Surges

New Zealand’s revamped Active Investor Plus visa, known informally as the “golden visa,” has sparked a dramatic surge in investor interest—delivering promising signs of a new era of economic growth. In just under three months since the Government revamped the scheme on April 1, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 189 new applications, surpassing the total received under the previous policy over more than two years.

The new wave of interest signals a strong international appetite for investment in New Zealand, with Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford highlighting the positive economic and reputational implications for the country.

A Massive Uptick in Investor Engagement

Prior to April 2024, the Active Investor Plus visa—designed to attract high-net-worth individuals to invest in New Zealand’s business ecosystem—had received just 116 applications over two-and-a-half years. By comparison, the reformed visa settings have generated 189 applications in under three months, representing a potential $845 million in new investment.

“Investor migrants are clearly attracted to New Zealand’s growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy,” said Minister Willis. “It’s a win-win. New investors bring not just capital, but also experience, skills and global networks.”

Visa Reforms Delivering Results

The dramatic improvement in investor engagement follows a series of strategic changes to the visa structure implemented by the Government on April 1, 2025. The reforms simplified the system by introducing two clear investment pathways:

• Growth Category – focused on higher-impact investments in New Zealand businesses.

• Balanced Category – offering slightly more flexibility but still requiring substantial capital commitment.

Additional enhancements included:

• Expanding the scope of acceptable investments, giving investors more diversified and viable options.

• Removing the English language requirement, which had previously acted as a barrier for many well-resourced applicants.

• Streamlining approval timelines and lowering regulatory friction.

Initial Approvals and Capital Deployment

As of June 23, 100 applications have been approved in principle, with seven applicants already investing and receiving resident visas. These initial visa grants have injected at least $45 million into the New Zealand economy, with five investments falling under the Growth category and two under the Balanced category.

Officials expect these numbers to climb significantly over the remainder of the year as more approved applicants progress to the capital transfer and residency stages.

A Global Vote of Confidence in NZ

Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that the Government’s message is being heard around the world: New Zealand is open for business.

“We welcome your capital, your knowledge, and your contribution to New Zealand’s economic growth,” she said. “We’re seeing strong momentum from global investors, particularly across Asia and North America.”

The strong interest from investors in regions such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States reflects New Zealand’s rising status as a stable and forward-looking destination for investment, innovation, and long-term residency.

Smart Immigration for Smart Growth

The success of the visa policy reform is being held up as a case study in how “smart, flexible, and nuanced” immigration settings can fuel broader economic growth and national development. The Active Investor Plus visa is now being positioned not only as a capital attraction tool, but as part of a larger economic strategy to grow high-value sectors, create jobs, and enhance productivity.

“Attracting investment means Kiwi businesses can expand, hire, and grow,” Minister Willis said. “It also means more opportunities for New Zealanders.”

New Zealand’s overhauled golden visa regime is yielding results faster than anticipated, with nearly $1 billion in potential investment and strong global interest in the country’s business and innovation ecosystems. If the early momentum continues, the Active Investor Plus visa could become a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economic growth strategy—linking the nation with global capital, talent, and opportunity.