How to Apply for the NZ Investor Visa
Applying for the Active Investor Plus visa is a 5-stage process: eligibility assessment, fund selection, documentation, INZ lodgement, and the 3-year investment period. From first engagement to permanent residency typically takes 3.5 to 4 years. Immigration New Zealand currently processes 80% of AIP applications within 3 months of lodgement. This guide walks through every stage.
5
Application Stages
31
Working Days Avg. INZ Processing
80%
Decided Within 3 Months
3.5–4
Years to Permanent Residency
The 5 Stages of the NZ Investor Visa Application
Private Eligibility Assessment
Weeks 1–2Before any paperwork, we conduct a confidential review of your investment profile, net worth, source of funds history, and family circumstances. This assessment determines which category (Growth or Balanced) best fits your situation, and identifies any potential issues before they become problems at lodgement.
What we review
- check_circleNet investable assets and liquidity
- check_circleSource and origin of investment funds
- check_circleImmigration history (all countries)
- check_circleFamily structure and dependant ages
- check_circleHealth and character history
What you receive
- check_circleCategory recommendation (Growth or Balanced)
- check_circleRisk assessment and issue identification
- check_circleDocument requirements list
- check_circleFixed-fee engagement quote
Fund Selection
Weeks 2–6For the Growth category, your NZ$5M must be deployed through an NZTE-approved vehicle: a managed fund, direct business investment, or property development. We advise on fund selection based on your risk profile, sector preferences, and fund capacity at the time. Not all funds have open capacity: popular funds close to new investors periodically.
Fund selection criteria we consider
See eligible investments for the AIP visa for the full list of acceptable investment types.
Documentation
Weeks 4–14The documentation stage is the most time-intensive part of the process. The source of funds evidence in particular requires careful preparation: INZ applies anti-money laundering scrutiny equivalent to a major bank. We guide you through every document, draft all submissions, and manage the process so you only sign where required.
| Document | Who Arranges | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Source of funds evidence | We prepare; you provide underlying docs | Bank statements, tax returns, company accounts, sale agreements |
| Medical examination | We coordinate; you attend | INZ-approved panel physician; submitted directly to INZ |
| Police certificates | You obtain; we advise on process | All countries lived 12+ months (past 10 yrs); must be <6 months old |
| Identity documents | You provide; we certify | Passport copies, certified by licensed adviser |
| Investment commitment letter | Fund manager provides | Confirms fund will accept your capital once visa is approved |
| Statutory declarations | We draft; you sign | Character and identity declarations as required by INZ |
Lodgement with Immigration New Zealand
Day of LodgementOnce your documentation package is complete and reviewed, we lodge your application with Immigration New Zealand in Auckland. We pay the NZ$27,470 government fee on your behalf (reimbursed per engagement terms). You do not need to travel to New Zealand to lodge.
Processing Time
Average 31 working days. 80% of decisions within 3 calendar months of lodgement.
During Assessment
INZ may issue a Requests for Information (RFI). We respond on your behalf: you do not need to deal with INZ directly.
On Approval
You receive an Approval in Principle (AIP). You then have 6 months to invest NZ$5M and activate your visa.
Investment Period & Permanent Residency
Years 1–4After visa activation and capital deployment, you enter the 36-month investment period. During this time you complete your 21 days of physical presence in New Zealand. At the end of the term, we assist you in applying for NZ permanent residency: the final step before NZ citizenship eligibility.
During the investment period
- check_circleKeep NZ$5M deployed in approved vehicle
- check_circleAccumulate 21 days NZ presence
- check_circleAnnual compliance reporting to fund
- check_circleFile NZ tax returns each year
After the investment period
- check_circleApply for NZ permanent residency
- check_circleCapital may be liquidated or redeployed
- check_circleCitizenship eligible ~2 years post-PR
- check_circleTrans-Tasman Australia access as NZ citizen
Application Timeline: Growth Category
Realistic end-to-end timeline from first contact to New Zealand permanent residency in 2026.
| Stage | Timeline | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Initial enquiry & assessment | Weeks 1–2 | Eligibility confirmed, advisory engagement agreed |
| Fund selection | Weeks 2–6 | Investment vehicle identified and commitment letter obtained |
| Documentation preparation | Weeks 4–14 | Full application package complete and reviewed |
| Lodgement with INZ | Week 14–16 | Application submitted; INZ processing begins |
| INZ processing | ~3 months (avg.) | Approval in Principle (AIP) issued |
| Capital deployment | Within 6 months of AIP | NZ$5M transferred; investment period begins |
| Investment period | 36 months | 21 days NZ presence accumulated; investment maintained |
| Permanent residency application | Year 3.5–4 | NZ permanent residency granted |
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Apply
Common questions about the NZ Active Investor Plus visa application process in 2026.
How long does it take to get the NZ investor visa? expand_more
From first engagement to permanent residency: 3.5–4 years. The application (preparation + INZ processing) takes 5–6 months. Then 6 months to deploy capital. Then the 36-month investment period. INZ currently processes 80% of AIP applications within 3 calendar months of lodgement.
Do I need to travel to New Zealand to apply? expand_more
No: the application is lodged remotely by us on your behalf. Medical examinations can be completed with approved panel physicians in your home country. Your first required visit to NZ is during the investment period to accumulate presence days.
What documents do I need? expand_more
Key documents: source of funds evidence (5–10 years of financial records), investment commitment letter from your chosen fund, medical examination results, police certificates from all countries lived 12+ months (past 10 years), identity documents, and statutory declarations. We prepare all submission documents: you sign where required.
Can I apply without an immigration adviser? expand_more
Legally yes, but practically inadvisable. The AIP is a complex, high-stakes application with a non-refundable NZ$27,470 government fee. Only IAA-licensed advisers or solicitors can represent clients before INZ. The advisory fee is a small fraction of the total financial commitment. We handle everything so you sign where required.
How does INZ assess source of funds? expand_more
INZ applies AML scrutiny equivalent to a major bank's KYC process. They want a clear documented trail showing how you accumulated your capital: business sale proceeds, investment returns, property sales, inheritance, or salary. Complex structures or high-risk jurisdictions require more extensive documentation. We help clients prepare their source of funds narrative before lodging.
What happens at the end of the 3-year investment period? expand_more
You apply to INZ for confirmation of residence: converting your AIP visa to permanent residency. You must show: investment maintained for full 36 months, 21 days NZ presence accumulated, and continued good character. Once PR is granted, your NZ$5M is free to liquidate or redeploy. Citizenship eligibility follows ~2–3 years after PR.
Begin Your Application
The first step is a confidential eligibility assessment. Our licensed advisers will review your investment profile and advise on the optimal pathway and timeline for your circumstances.
We take a limited number of new clients each quarter. Enquiries are assessed before engagement proceeds.