Active Investor Plus Visa
The Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa replaced the old Category 1 and 2 investor visas. It explicitly penalizes passive capital (like bonds) and heavily rewards direct investment into New Zealand businesses.
The Weighting System
To qualify, you must invest between $5 million and $15 million NZD over a 3-year period and maintain it until the end of a 4-year period. The exact amount depends on where you put the money, utilizing a weighting multiplier.
| Asset Class | Weighting Multiplier | Minimum Actual Capital Required |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Investment (Private NZ Business) | 3x | $5 million |
| Managed Funds (Private Equity / Venture Capital) | 2x | $7.5 million |
| Listed Equities (NZX) / Philanthropy | 1x (Capped at 50% of total) | $15 million |
| Bonds / Property | 0x | Ineligible |
Key Conditions
Unlike the previous visas which allowed you to park $3 million in government bonds and go to sleep, the AIP requires genuine engagement with the New Zealand capital ecosystem.
- English Language: Must have basic English (IELTS level 5).
- Time in Country: Must spend at least 117 days in New Zealand over the 4-year conditional period.
- Exclusions: Residential property development and commercial property are completely ineligible unless they form a minor part of a broader operating business.