New Zealand adjusts investor-class visa requirements
Sydney (25 May)
New Zealand has adjusted investment requirements for the Growth category of its Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa to allow investors to offset capital obligations through charitable donations, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced on 25 May.
Migrants using the Government’s AIP Growth scheme need to invest NZ$5 million in managed funds, some equities, or convertible note-style products for three years. But, from 1 June, they will be able to offset up to NZ$1 million of their investment obligations through charitable donations, Stanford said.
“Investors, potential investors, and charities … want investors to be able to contribute directly to social, environmental, conservation, and cultural initiatives in New Zealand as part of their visa pathway,” Stanford told reporters.
Investors will be able to offset their investment obligations by donating to registered charities – including personal and family foundations – that have been operating for at least five years and pay out at least NZ$140,000 per year.
Migrants using the Government’s AIP Balanced scheme can already offset investment obligations using charitable donations. They need to invest NZ$10 million in a mix of equities, financial products, property developments, and bonds.
The Government’s AIP scheme attracted NZ$1.5 billion in investment, largely through managed funds, between April 2025 and April 2026, according to Stanford. Migrants are expected to invest another NZ$2.4 billion over time, Stanford said on 22 April.
Investors using the AIP’s Growth category agreed to invest NZ$899 million in private credit, NZ$147 million in venture capital, NZ$97 million in infrastructure investment, and NZ$142 million in other areas over that period.
By Avinash Govind