Wealthy Americans lead surge in New Zealand 'golden visa' applications

New rules for the Active Investor Plus visa, which took effect in April 2025, lowered investment thresholds, removed an English-language requirement and cut the residency period from three years to three weeks. The scheme has attracted 573 applications representing 1,833 people, up from 116 applications in the previous two-and-a-half years, and has generated $3.39bn in investment.

Successful applicants may buy homes in New Zealand priced above $5m. Investors from the United States made up nearly 40% of applicants, with China and Hong Kong next in line. Since August 2025 applications from China more than doubled, from 45 to 95, and other top source countries included Germany, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea (tied), and Great Britain.

Most applicants applied under the “growth” category, which requires a minimum NZ$5m investment over three years. A smaller group chose the “balanced” category, needing NZ$10m over five years; the previous scheme required NZ$15m.

New Zealand

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