WELLINGTON - New Zealand's revamped investor visa scheme has generated nearly NZ$4 billion in committed and pipeline investment in its first year, the government announced on Wednesday as it seeks to attract high-net-worth migrants and growth capital.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the Active Investor Plus or AIP visa has delivered NZ$1.49 billion in funds already invested, while a further NZ$2.415 billion remains in the pipeline, bringing the total to NZ$3.905 billion since the programme was overhauled last year.
The government reported it has received 609 applications under the reset programme, covering 1,988 people. The changes to the visa framework took effect from April 1, 2025.
Under the revised rules, the minimum investment threshold for the higher-risk "Growth" category was reduced to NZ$5 million across three years, while the "Balanced" category requires NZ$10 million invested over five years. The reset also removed the English-language requirement and shortened time-in-country conditions for investors who take a more active role.
The government has presented the AIP visa as a component of a broader "Going for Growth" agenda that aims to boost productivity, help firms expand and support job creation. That framing is part of Wellington's effort to channel capital into businesses and projects that can expand operations and employment.
Stanford highlighted private credit as a notable channel for AIP capital, saying it is especially valuable for companies seeking flexible financing without diluting ownership. She pointed to Dunedin-based United Machinists as an example of a business that received AIP-backed private credit to support expansion and create jobs. United Machinists manufactures specialty parts for the aerospace and medtech sectors.
The government provided an exchange-rate reference for readers: $1 equals 1.6932 New Zealand dollars.
Details at a glance
- Total committed and pipeline investment: NZ$3.905 billion.
- Already invested: NZ$1.49 billion.
- Pipeline investment: NZ$2.415 billion.
- Applications: 609, covering 1,988 people.
- Key rule changes from April 1, 2025: NZ$5 million minimum for Growth (three years); NZ$10 million minimum for Balanced (five years); English-language requirement removed; reduced time-in-country for more active investors.
Officials frame the programme as part of an economic growth strategy, while acknowledging the broader debate over whether investor visa schemes deliver enduring economic benefits.