Active Investor Plus Visa Changes September 2026: What Investors Need to Know

Changes affecting managed funds and direct investment offerings under New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa take effect from 28 September 2026.

The reforms introduce investment deployment plans for managed funds, a six-month stand-down before declined investment offerings can reapply, stronger Invest New Zealand oversight and additional guidance around Growth and Balanced investments.

What Changed on 28 September 2026?

Managed Funds Must Maintain Investment Deployment Plans

Managed funds will be required to provide and maintain investment deployment plans.

The objective is to provide greater transparency around how capital is expected to be deployed into New Zealand investments.

For prospective investors, this represents another level of oversight around managed funds seeking to qualify for Active Investor Plus purposes.

Six-Month Stand-Down for Declined Investment Offerings

Managed funds and direct investments that are declined will need to wait six months before reapplying.

It is important to understand what this means.

The requirement applies to managed funds and direct investment offerings seeking acceptable-investment status. It should not be interpreted as a general six-month stand-down applying automatically to an individual investor whose visa application is declined.

Stronger Invest New Zealand Oversight

Invest New Zealand has enhanced powers concerning managed funds and direct investments that cease to satisfy programme requirements, including the ability to suspend or revoke acceptable-investment status.

Investors should also understand that inclusion as an acceptable AIP investment is not a Government investment recommendation or guarantee.

Investment eligibility and investment suitability are different questions.

Independent investment due diligence therefore remains important.

Clearer Growth and Balanced Guidance

The changes are intended to provide greater clarity around the characteristics and requirements of Growth and Balanced investments.

Growth currently requires at least NZ$5 million in acceptable investments over three years.

Balanced requires at least NZ$10 million over five years and allows a broader range of acceptable investment classes.

Why Do the Managed-Fund Changes Matter?

Managed funds have become an important part of the Growth category.

Immigration New Zealand's published statistics show managed funds represent the majority of committed Growth capital in its latest investment-type reporting.

Changes affecting the approval and oversight of managed funds are therefore particularly relevant to investors considering the NZ$5 million Growth pathway.

Does Being on the Acceptable Managed Fund List Mean a Fund Is Recommended by the New Zealand Government?

No.

Invest New Zealand expressly states that inclusion on its Acceptable Managed Fund List does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Invest New Zealand or the New Zealand Government.

Investors remain responsible for undertaking appropriate due diligence and obtaining professional investment advice.

Have the NZ$5 Million and NZ$10 Million Investment Thresholds Changed?

No.

The September changes do not alter the minimum investment amounts.

Growth remains NZ$5 million invested for at least three years.

Balanced remains NZ$10 million invested for at least five years.

NZLIP Perspective

The direction of the Active Investor Plus programme is becoming increasingly clear.

New Zealand wants to attract international capital while also increasing the quality, transparency and economic contribution of investments qualifying under the programme.

For prospective investors, choosing an acceptable investment is only one component of the overall process.

Immigration, investment, taxation, banking, legal structures and family relocation can all need to be coordinated.

NZLIP helps international investors manage that wider journey and connect with the appropriate professional specialists.

Official Sources

Immigration New Zealand – Active Investor Plus: new managed fund requirements from 28 September.

Invest New Zealand – Acceptable Investments.

Disclaimer

This article is general information only and does not constitute immigration, investment, financial, legal or taxation advice.