Active Investor Plus Visa: Growth and Balanced Compared
Updated: Sep 16
The Active Investor Plus Visa offers a New Zealand residence pathway for individuals and families who can make a qualifying investment and demonstrate a lawful, traceable source of funds.
The Growth and Balanced categories have different investment amounts, investment periods and time-in-New-Zealand requirements. Your planning should consider both the visa conditions and the practical arrangements for your assets and family.
Growth and Balanced at a glance
Requirement | Growth | Balanced |
Minimum investment | NZD $5 million | NZD $10 million |
Minimum investment period | Three years | Five years |
Time in New Zealand as a resident during the investment period | At least 21 days | Normally at least 105 days; qualifying additional investment can reduce this to a minimum of 63 days |
Investment scope | Eligible direct investments and managed funds; qualifying philanthropy is permitted within the category's cap | A broader range of eligible investments, including direct investments, managed funds, listed equities, bonds, philanthropy and qualifying property developments |
Each investment must meet the rules for the chosen category. Visa eligibility does not establish whether an investment is appropriate for your financial circumstances. Check INZ's category requirements.
Start with ownership and source of funds
We begin by understanding what you own, where it is held and how it was accumulated. Evidence may need to connect business earnings, dividends, property sales or other lawful sources to the funds nominated for investment.
Plan the transfer route early. The money transferred needs to correspond to the nominated funds or proceeds from nominated assets, supported by a clear record of ownership and transactions. Overseas asset sales and transfer arrangements can affect the timetable even where the headline investment amount is available.
What happens after approval in principle?
The usual transfer and investment period is six months following approval in principle. A further six months may be available where INZ approves an extension; it is not automatic.
Once the investment and remaining requirements are satisfied, the resident visa stage is followed by ongoing investment, reporting and presence requirements. Permanent residence can be considered after the relevant period and fulfilment of the applicable conditions. Review transfer and investment requirements.
Planning for your family
Your application may include a qualifying partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger. Dependency and relationship requirements must be assessed individually. Consider each family member's intended travel, education and settlement arrangements alongside the investment timetable.
How JZ Immigration can help
We assess the immigration options, organise source-of-funds evidence, prepare the visa application and help track transfer, investment and reporting deadlines. We can coordinate the immigration evidence with your legal, tax and investment professionals.
Investment decisions need separate financial advice. An investment's commercial holding period may extend beyond the minimum visa investment period, and acceptance for immigration purposes does not guarantee returns or repayment of capital.
Before your consultation, prepare an outline of your assets, available investment budget, source of wealth, family members and preferred timing.
Discuss your investment residence plans: Book a confidential initial consultation.
General immigration information only. Investment, legal and tax advice should be obtained for your circumstances.
Related guides
If you have an eligible adult child living in New Zealand, explore the Parent Retirement Resident Visa as a separate option.
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