A Step-by-Step Guide to New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa for Indian Investors

New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa offers a streamlined pathway for high-net-worth individuals to obtain residency by investing substantial capital in the country’s economy. Since its overhaul in April 2025, the program features two simplified investment categories—Growth and Balanced—to attract a broader range of investors. This comprehensive guide demystifies the AIP Visa process for Indian applicants, covering eligibility criteria, investment options, application steps, residency requirements, and post-approval pathways to permanent residence.

1. Understanding the AIP Visa and Its Benefits

The AIP Visa enables investors and their families to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely, provided they meet investment and residency obligations. Key advantages include:

• Permanent residency potential: Apply for residence after three years (Growth) or five years (Balanced) of maintaining qualifying investments.
• Family inclusion: Partners and dependent children (up to age 24) can be included in a single application.
• No language requirement: The AIP Visa removed the English-language test barrier to widen accessibility.
• Flexible investment options: From direct business investments to managed funds, bonds, equities, and property development.
• Low physical presence: A minimum of only 21 days in New Zealand over three years (Growth) or 105 days over five years (Balanced) – reducible with higher investments.

2. Eligibility Criteria for Indian Investors

To qualify for the AIP Visa, Indian applicants must:

1. Be a fit and proper person: No serious criminal convictions or character concerns.
2. Hold at least NZD 5 million (Growth) or NZD 10 million (Balanced) in acceptable funds.
3. Transfer the investment funds to New Zealand within six months of receiving approval in principle.
4. Have lawfully acquired funds, evidenced through audited statements, bank records, and asset sale documents.
5. Meet health and character requirements, including medical examinations and police certificates.

Indian investors should prepare to demonstrate clear audit trails for funds, including notarized translations of non-English documents, to satisfy New Zealand’s stringent source-of-funds checks.

3. Choosing Between Growth and Balanced Categories

Growth Category (NZD 5 Million)

• Investment amount: NZD 5 million in direct investments and/or approved managed funds.
• Investment period: Maintain funds for at least three years.
• Physical presence: Minimum 21 days in New Zealand over the three-year period.
• Residency pathway: Eligible to apply for permanent residence after three years.

Balanced Category (NZD 10 Million)

• Investment amount: NZD 10 million across a broader range of assets: bonds, listed equities, philanthropy, property development, and Growth-category investments.
• Investment period: Maintain funds for at least five years.
• Physical presence: 105 days over the five-year period, reducible up to 42 days by investing additional NZD 1 million in direct or managed funds beyond the NZD 10 million threshold.
• Residency pathway: Apply for permanent residence after five years.

Balanced-category investors benefit from diversified portfolios and may optimize tax and risk profiles by blending passive and active holdings.

4. Preparing Your Application: Documents and Due Diligence

A robust AIP application hinges on meticulous documentation:

• Proof of identity: Valid passport copies and birth certificates.
• Source-of-funds evidence:
  • Audited financial statements spanning at least two years.
  • Bank statements showing accumulation and transfer history.
  • Sale agreements for liquidated assets (e.g., real estate) with settlement records.
  • Notarized English translations for Indian documents.
• Business investment plan (for direct investments): Outline targeted sectors, expected economic impact, governance structure, and exit strategy.
• Managed funds prospectus: For investments in Kiwi-licensed managed funds, provide fund details, risk profile, and track record.
• Health and character checks: Medical certificates from New Zealand–approved physicians and police clearances from all countries where the applicant has lived for 12+ months in the past decade.

Organize these documents into a logical bundle with a cover sheet and table of contents. Clearly label each section to facilitate Immigration New Zealand’s review and reduce the risk of delays.

5. Application Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Preliminary Assessment and Adviser Consultation

Engage a New Zealand–licensed immigration adviser or law firm to evaluate eligibility and craft a tailored strategy. Early advice helps identify potential gaps in documentation and optimizes investment structuring.

Step 2: Lodge AIP Visa Application Online

Submit the application on the Immigration New Zealand portal, paying the NZD 27,470 fee and providing all required documentation.

Step 3: Approval in Principle (AIP)

Immigration New Zealand aims to grant 80% of AIP decisions within four months. Approval in principle confirms eligibility, after which you have six months to transfer and invest your funds in New Zealand.

Step 4: Work Visa for Fund Transfer

Upon AIP, apply for a New Zealand work visa to enter the country, oversee fund transfers, and finalize investments. Partners must apply separately for visitor visas, while dependent children will require student visas if not already of tertiary age.

Step 5: Transferring and Investing Funds

Move your capital into New Zealand bank accounts or escrow arrangements, then allocate into approved investments—business ventures, managed funds, bonds, equities, property development, or philanthropy, depending on your chosen category.

Step 6: Maintaining Investment and Residency Requirements

• Growth: Maintain NZD 5 million investment for three years and stay 21 days in country.
• Balanced: Maintain NZD 10 million for five years and satisfy 105 days’ presence (or reduced days via excess investments).

Keep meticulous records—bank statements, fund valuations, and travel logs—to evidence compliance at the time of permanent residence application.

Step 7: Apply for Permanent Residence

After the investment period and residency criteria are met, submit a residence application. Include:

• Evidence of investment continuity.
• Updated health and character certificates.
• Proof of physical presence in New Zealand.

If approved, you and your family obtain unconditional residence status, opening the door to citizenship after a further two years of residence.

6. Investment Options and Sector Opportunities

Direct Investments

Invest directly in New Zealand–registered companies, preferably in high-growth sectors such as technology, agribusiness, renewable energy, and tourism – industries aligned with national economic priorities and likely to yield both financial returns and local job creation.

Managed Funds

Kiwi-licensed funds offer exposure to diversified portfolios of private equity, venture capital, and private credit. Opt for funds with demonstrable track records and clear alignment with Immigration New Zealand’s acceptable investment criteria.

Bonds and Listed Equities (Balanced Category)

Lower-risk instruments including government or corporate bonds and NZX-listed equities help balance portfolio volatility while meeting investment thresholds.

Property Development

Eligible projects include new residential builds or commercial and industrial development. Property investments must demonstrate potential for tangible economic benefit, such as housing stock expansion or commercial infrastructure growth.

Philanthropy

Impact-driven contributions to approved charitable trusts or social enterprises can count toward the Balanced Category, provided they align with government priorities in education, health, or environmental conservation.

7. Common Pitfalls and Proactive Tips

• Source-of-funds documentation gaps: Engage a forensic accountant to validate fund trails and pre-empt queries.
• Underestimating FX volatility: Use forward‐exchange contracts to lock competitive INR → NZD rates for fund transfers.
• Delayed medical or police checks: Initiate health examinations and police clearances at least three months before application.
• Insufficient travel records: Maintain detailed entry/exit logs to prove physical presence compliance.
• Poorly structured investments: Seek financial advisers experienced in AIP regulations to optimize portfolio mix and residency obligations.

Proactive planning and expert support can mitigate these risks, ensuring a smoother path to New Zealand residency.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I switch categories after AIP approval?
Yes. During the six-month period post-AIP, you may change from Growth to Balanced or vice versa once, before completing your investment transfers.

Q2: Are there any age or English language tests?
No maximum age limit applies, and the AIP Visa has no English language requirement, broadening accessibility for Indian investors aged above 55.

Q3: What happens if investments dip below thresholds?
You must maintain qualifying investment levels throughout the agreed period; failure may jeopardize your residence application. Consider reserve funds or credit facilities as backup.

Q4: Can my spouse work in New Zealand?
Yes. Once you hold a resident visa, your partner can work unrestricted and your dependent children can study freely.

9. Conclusion

New Zealand’s revamped Active Investor Plus Visa presents Indian investors with a clear, flexible, and family-inclusive route to permanent residency. By understanding category distinctions, meticulously preparing documentation, partnering with licensed advisers, and aligning investments with national economic objectives, applicants can navigate the process efficiently. Whether you choose the nimble Growth option or the diversified Balanced track, the AIP Visa empowers you to contribute to Aotearoa’s prosperity while securing a new life for yourself and your family. Start your journey today by consulting a trusted immigration professional and turning your investment ambition into an enduring New Zealand residency.