New Zealand is making changes to its golden visa program, including removing an English language requirement, to attract wealthy immigrants and boost the economy. The country aims to capitalize on falling interest rates and create a more favorable environment for foreign investors.
The government has narrowed the Active Investor Plus visa to just two categories: Growth and Balanced. The Growth category requires a minimum investment of NZ$5 million over three years in businesses or managed funds, with just 21 days required in the country. The Balanced category demands a minimum of NZ$10 million invested over five years into bonds, stocks, new property development, or existing commercial and industrial properties, requiring at least 105 days in the country.
By simplifying the program and offering lower-risk investment options, New Zealand hopes to attract a wider range of investors, including those who may not have been eligible before. The changes come as other countries, such as Spain, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Greece, and Malta, are ending or tightening their golden visa programs.
The Australian government has effectively scrapped its Significant Investor visa class due to concerns over abuse by wealthy individuals. A business migration specialist predicts that New Zealand’s changes will give its sluggish residential property market a boost, as the influx of foreign capital can prime the local economy for growth.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/02/09/new-zealand-golden-visa-requirements-wealthy-migrants