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

New rules for New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa, introduced in April 2025, have coincided with 573 applications representing 1,833 people, with nearly 40% from the United States and a doubling of applications from China since August 2025.

New Zealand's revised Active Investor Plus visa has prompted a rise in applications from wealthy foreign investors, led by applicants from the United States. The rules that took effect in April 2025 lowered investment thresholds, removed English-language requirements and cut the residency presence requirement from three years to three weeks. Successful visa holders are allowed to purchase homes in New Zealand worth more than NZ$5 million. Immigration New Zealand said the scheme has drawn substantially more interest than before the changes. Key facts: - The new settings attracted 573 applications, representing 1,833 people, compared with 116 applications over the previous two-and-a-half years. - Investors from the United States made up nearly 40% of applicants; applications from China rose from 45 to 95 since August 2025. - There are two investment categories: the growth category requires a minimum NZ$5 million investment over three years, and the balanced category requires NZ$10 million over five years; the previous scheme required NZ$15 million. - The scheme has generated NZ$3.39 billion in investment, according to Immigration New Zealand, and the immigration minister said the settings are opening up investment. - A US family, Courtney and Jim Andelman and their twin daughters, were the 100th household granted residency and said they plan to invest in New Zealand venture funds and deep‑tech companies while splitting time between New Zealand and California. - Some applicants from the United States said the visa offered an opportunity to leave or reduce ties to the political environment in the United States. Summary: The policy changes have accelerated applications and brought sizeable investment into New Zealand while shifting the nationality mix of applicants toward the United States and increasing interest from China. Undetermined at this time.