Insights

If you’re fit & healthy, of good character, have funds to invest, and love the outdoors, then this article may be of interest to you.

What is the best path to take?

Below, we look at the two investor visa categories available, assess the merits of each, and, where appropriate, provide tips we have picked up along the way when helping our clients achieve their dream.

Investor 1

Requirements

• NZ $10 million investment over 3 years (the investment period)
• Minimum of 44 days stay in NZ in each of the last 2 years of your investment period, before being eligible to move to full permanent residency status.

Tip

• Depending on the nature of your investments, the days you are required to stay in NZ can be made more flexible.

Advantages

• Direct application - no expression of interest or quota
• The days required to stay in NZ can be spread flexibly: 88 days over the entire 3 year investment period, depending on the nature of your investments.
• No age limit
• Shorter investment period - the investment period is 3 years, whereas Investor 2 is 4 years

Disadvantage

• Minimum investment of NZ $10 million

Investor 2

Requirements

• NZ $3 million investment over 4 years (the investment period)
• Minimum of 146 days stay in each of the last 3 years of the investment period, before being eligible to move to full permanent residency status.  

Tip

Depending on the nature of your investments, the days required to stay in NZ can be made more flexible.

Advantages

• Require only NZ $3 million to invest
• The days required to stay in NZ can be spread flexibly: 438 days in NZ over the entire 4 year investment period, depending on the nature of your investments.

Disadvantages

• Two-step process - lodge an expression of interest then await an invitation to apply.
• Quota - the number of applications processed each year is limited to 400.
• Age limit - there is an age limit of 65
• Longer investment period - the investment period is for 4 years
• More time required to stay in NZ over the investment period

Summary

Investor 1 comes with greater simplicity and with less time that you are required to stay in NZ before being eligible to move to full permanent residency status.

If, on the other hand, you are able to spend more time in our beautiful country, and have time on your side, then Investor 2 may be the way to go.

Please feel free to contact our immigration team. We will work with you and help you navigate the system towards realising your dream.