New Zealand has seen a sudden spike in investor visa applications following a major overhaul of its residency rules in April. The country’s immigration department has confirmed that 65 new applications were lodged in just six weeks after the new policy came into effect—most of them from the United States.
This jump in interest coincides with a loosening of conditions. The updated investor visa now allows wealthy individuals to secure New Zealand residency by investing as little as NZ$5 million (around $3 million).
The required physical presence in the country has also been cut significantly—from three years to just 21 days over the visa term.
The visa, now processed in an average of 11 days, offers a far simpler pathway to residency. Of the total 104 applications currently in the pipeline (65 new plus 39 from the previous scheme), 42 have already been approved. That’s brought in a minimum capital of NZ$620 million, according to Financial Times.
Out of the 65 new applications, 55 are from the US. Hong Kong (15) and China (12) follow far behind. Some suggest the US political climate could be pushing wealthy individuals to look for safer havens.
Stuart Nash, a former immigration minister who now works in the private sector, reportedly said many of the new applicants seem politically at odds with President Trump. He pointed to concerns over Trump’s stance on foreign policy and global alliances like Nato. “Putin is on the doorstep and no one is 100% sure what Trump will do,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post. That kind of uncertainty, he said, is making New Zealand look very appealing.
While New Zealand is rolling out the welcome mat, other countries are quietly closing the door. Spain officially ended its golden visa programme on May 23. Ireland, Portugal, the Netherlands and Malta have already moved to limit or scrap similar schemes. Even Australia’s once-popular significant investor visa is effectively off the table.
In a notable legal twist, the European Court of Justice recently ruled that Malta’s citizenship-by-investment model violates EU law.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the refreshed policy was designed to attract capital while also offering flexibility. A new “balanced” investment category has been introduced to cater to those seeking lower-risk options like bonds or real estate.
“We’re responding to a world where capital moves quickly,” said Stanford, speaking in parliament. “Our message is simple: New Zealand is open for business.”
New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus visa now offers two paths:
Growth Pathway: Requires NZ$5 million over three years in New Zealand businesses or managed funds. Just 21 days of physical stay is needed over the visa period.
Balanced Pathway: Requires NZ$10 million over five years in safer assets like bonds, equities, or real estate. The minimum stay is 105 days but can be reduced if the investment is higher.
Applicants can include their partner and children under 25. Permanent residency is possible after four years if the investment is maintained.