Refinements to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa programme
Refinements to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa programme come into effect on 1 April 2025.
These have been designed with the clear objective of stimulating NZ’s economic growth.
There are currently not enough investment products to meet the capital demand that will flow into New Zealand.
There is a significant opportunity for NZ businesses and managed funds to access a growing level of foreign direct investment.
AIP visa programme from 1.4.25
The Approval in Principal visa reform will introduce two streamlined investment categories:
- Growth Category: requires a minimum investment of NZD$5 million over a three-year period.
- Balanced Category: requires a minimum investment of NZD$10 million over a five-year period.
NZTE Control
NZTE continues to oversee the “approved investment” for the purposes of the Growth Category by applying the new criteria.
Companies and Managed Funds looking to attract capital need to be an approved Growth Category investment with NZTE. This will allow access to a significant pool of growing capital.
So, what has changed?
The criteria for NZTE-approved investments have been modified in these areas:
- Increased NZTE discretion. NZTE may now regard a wider range of positive impacts which flow from an investment. This means a far wider range of businesses now qualify.
- Updated Feasibility Requirements. Applications (Direct Investments) for start-ups or greenfield projects will require feasibility studies for their application.
- Faster NZTE Assessments. NZTE has been streamlined, with application times now set to a matter of weeks. There will no longer be an external ‘Panel’ to assess applications. the assessment timeframe for approval of decision-ready applications could be around two weeks.
- Removal of property caps: There is no longer a property cap for approved businesses or managed funds. This opens potential investments into horticulture, forestry, agriculture, and aquaculture where major land interests are often needed to operate. Businesses which previously did not qualify due to a pre-existing interest in land or because they were not considered to be high growth, can now be approved.
- Specific Industries. The updated policy specifically identifies investments in technology, manufacturing, food and beverage, renewable energy, aged care and the primary sector
as contributing to the NZ Government’s economic strategy.
If you are an Overseas Investor or a New Zealand business or managed fund seeking capital, I welcome the opportunity to assist you through the application processes involved.
If you need support or advice in this regard please don’t hesitate to contact me for obligation free consultation.
Steve Baker
General Manager
Licensed Immigration Advisor 201801044
P: 03 353 0680
M: 027 212 5483
