New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Surpasses NZ$5.3 Billion as International Investor Demand Grows

Published: 15 October 2026

Source: Immigration New Zealand — Statistics updated 14 October 2026

New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP) continues to attract international investors, with the latest official figures showing approximately NZ$5.34 billion in committed investment and prospective investment pipeline.

According to Immigration New Zealand, the revised programme received 985 applications covering 3,206 people between 1 April 2025 and 14 October 2026. Of these, 511 applications have been approved.

The latest figures represent another increase in investor interest following the substantial changes introduced to New Zealand's residence-by-investment programme in April 2025.

The NZ$5 million Growth category remains the preferred pathway, accounting for approximately 86% of applications.

For international investors considering New Zealand, the latest data highlights the continued development of the country's investor migration programme, often referred to internationally as the New Zealand Golden Visa.

New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa: Latest Statistics for October 2026

The latest Immigration New Zealand figures show:

Key indicator	As at 14 October 2026
Total applications received	985
People included in applications	3,206
Applications approved	511
Growth category applications	844
Balanced category applications	141
Investment capital committed	NZ$2.98 billion
Additional investment pipeline	NZ$2.36 billion
Total committed and pipeline capital	Approximately NZ$5.34 billion

These figures cover the revised Active Investor Plus programme introduced on 1 April 2025.

Importantly, the NZ$5.34 billion figure includes both capital already committed and investment associated with applications progressing through the programme. It should not be interpreted as NZ$5.34 billion already invested in New Zealand.

Active Investor Plus Investment Increases by Approximately NZ$200 Million

Comparing the latest figures with Immigration New Zealand's previous reporting period reveals continued growth.

Measure	24 September	14 October	Change
Applications received	949	985	+36
Applications approved	496	511	+15
Growth applications	813	844	+31
Balanced applications	136	141	+5
Capital committed	NZ$2.88b	NZ$2.98b	+NZ$100m
Investment pipeline	NZ$2.26b	NZ$2.36b	+NZ$100m

In less than three weeks, the programme recorded 36 additional applications and approximately NZ$200 million in additional committed and pipeline capital, based on rounded published figures.

The increase indicates continuing investor participation in the revised programme, although applications and pipeline commitments do not necessarily translate into completed investments.

Growth Category Continues to Dominate Investor Applications

One of the clearest trends in the latest data is the continued preference for the Active Investor Plus Growth category.

Of the 985 applications received:

844 applications selected Growth.

141 applications selected Balanced.

Growth therefore represents approximately 85.7% of all applications.

Why is the Growth category attracting more investors?

The Growth category requires a minimum investment of NZ$5 million over a three-year investment period.

Qualifying investments can include approved managed funds, acceptable direct investments and eligible philanthropy within the programme limits.

By comparison, the Balanced category requires a minimum NZ$10 million investment over five years, but allows a wider range of acceptable investment classes.

The lower investment threshold and shorter investment period may help explain Growth's popularity, although the published statistics do not establish individual applicants' reasons for choosing it.

Investors should also recognise that Growth investments can involve greater risk and reduced liquidity, and some investment commitments may extend beyond the immigration investment period.

United States Remains the Largest Source of AIP Investors

The latest figures reinforce the importance of international investor interest in New Zealand.

As at 14 October 2026, the three largest source markets were:

United States — 313 applications

China — 188 applications

Hong Kong — 125 applications

Together, these markets accounted for 626 applications, approximately 64% of the total.

The United States alone represented nearly 32% of applications.

These figures demonstrate the international reach of the revised Active Investor Plus programme and the importance of New Zealand's relationships with major overseas investor markets.

For international families, the decision to apply for residence through investment can involve much more than choosing an acceptable investment.

It may form part of broader planning around international diversification, business interests, family residence, education, property, taxation and long-term wealth management.

How Long Does an Active Investor Plus Visa Application Take?

Immigration New Zealand reports an average processing time of approximately 36 working days after the required investment documentation has been provided.

This is a reported average, not a guaranteed processing timeframe.

Actual processing times can vary depending on an applicant's circumstances, documentation, verification requirements and the complexity of the application.

Investors should also distinguish between visa processing time and the overall time required to prepare an application, obtain professional advice, establish banking arrangements, transfer capital and complete acceptable investments.

These activities may involve several different professional advisers and organisations.

Growth vs Balanced: Understanding the Investment Options

New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa offers two principal pathways.

Growth Category — NZ$5 Million

The Growth category requires a minimum NZ$5 million investment maintained over the applicable three-year investment period.

It focuses on acceptable investments intended to contribute to New Zealand's productive economy.

Potential investment classes include:

Acceptable managed funds

Acceptable direct investments

Eligible philanthropy, within programme limits

Balanced Category — NZ$10 Million

The Balanced category requires a minimum NZ$10 million investment maintained over the applicable five-year investment period.

It offers a wider range of acceptable investment options, potentially including:

Managed funds

Direct investments

Listed equities

Bonds

Qualifying property development

Eligible philanthropy

Balanced applicants can also invest in qualifying Growth investments.

The appropriate pathway depends on the investor's individual circumstances, investment objectives, risk tolerance and wider plans for New Zealand.

What Are the Latest Active Investor Plus Policy Developments?

The October statistics follow several important developments in New Zealand's investor residence programme.

Stronger managed-fund and direct-investment requirements

New requirements took effect on 28 September 2026, strengthening the assessment and ongoing oversight of investments participating in Active Investor Plus.

These include investment deployment plans for managed funds and additional oversight by Invest New Zealand.

The changes reinforce the distinction between an investment being acceptable for immigration purposes and its suitability for an individual investor.

Build to Rent investment from December 2026

The Government has also announced that qualifying Build to Rent investment will become available under the Growth category from December 2026, through approved managed funds.

This could provide another investment option for Growth applicants and potentially direct additional international capital into New Zealand's long-term rental housing sector.

However, detailed Build to Rent eligibility and implementation requirements remain outstanding as at 15 October 2026.

Prospective investors should not assume that a particular development or managed fund will qualify until the final requirements are confirmed.

The latest AIP statistics do not themselves introduce any additional policy changes.

What Do These Figures Mean for International Investors?

The latest statistics demonstrate continued international participation in New Zealand's revised investor residence programme.

They also highlight the increasing importance of coordinating the different elements of an international investment and residence strategy.

For prospective applicants, several questions deserve careful consideration:

Is the NZ$5 million Growth category or NZ$10 million Balanced category more appropriate?

Which investments meet the relevant Active Investor Plus requirements?

How do New Zealand investments fit within an existing international portfolio?

What are the New Zealand and overseas tax implications?

What banking and foreign exchange arrangements are required?

What are the risks, liquidity restrictions and investment timeframes?

Will the investor or family relocate to New Zealand?

What property, business, education or lifestyle arrangements may be required?

For high-net-worth international families, these decisions are often interconnected.

Obtaining residence through investment is not simply a visa application or an investment transaction. It can be a substantial international project requiring careful coordination.

How New Zealand Life Investment Partners Helps

New Zealand Life Investment Partners (NZLIP) provides an independent Investor Project Management and Concierge Service for international investors and families considering New Zealand.

Our philosophy is straightforward:

We Work for the Investor.

NZLIP helps coordinate the overall New Zealand journey, working alongside appropriately qualified and licensed professionals across areas including:

Immigration and residence planning

Investment and wealth management

Legal services

International and New Zealand taxation

Banking and foreign exchange

Business and commercial interests

Property and accommodation

Family relocation and lifestyle arrangements

Our role is to provide a central point of coordination so that the different professional workstreams can be managed as part of a coherent overall plan.

NZLIP does not provide regulated immigration, investment, financial, legal or tax advice. These services are provided by appropriately qualified and licensed specialists.

One Journey. Many Specialists. One Point of Coordination.

Considering New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa?

Whether you are considering the NZ$5 million Growth category, the NZ$10 million Balanced category, or are still exploring New Zealand as a potential investment and residence destination, NZLIP can help you understand and coordinate the journey ahead.

Arrange a Confidential Consultation with New Zealand Life Investment Partners.

Visit www.nzlip.com to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much investment has New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa attracted in 2026?

As at 14 October 2026, Immigration New Zealand reported approximately NZ$5.34 billion in committed investment and prospective investment pipeline under the revised programme introduced in April 2025.

How many Active Investor Plus applications has New Zealand received?

Immigration New Zealand reported 985 applications covering 3,206 people between 1 April 2025 and 14 October 2026.

How many Active Investor Plus applications have been approved?

As at 14 October 2026, 511 applications had been approved.

Which Active Investor Plus category is most popular?

The Growth category accounts for approximately 86% of applications, with 844 Growth applications compared with 141 Balanced applications.

What is the minimum investment for New Zealand's Golden Visa?

The Active Investor Plus Visa requires a minimum investment of NZ$5 million under Growth or NZ$10 million under Balanced, subject to the applicable immigration and investment requirements.

Which country has the most New Zealand investor visa applicants?

The United States is the largest source market, with 313 applications as at 14 October 2026, followed by China with 188 and Hong Kong with 125.

How long does an Active Investor Plus application take?

Immigration New Zealand reports an average processing time of approximately 36 working days after investment documentation has been provided. Actual timeframes vary.

Can Active Investor Plus investors invest in New Zealand property?

Qualifying property development may be acceptable under Balanced. From December 2026, qualifying Build to Rent investment is scheduled to become available under Growth through approved managed funds, subject to the final eligibility requirements.

Is New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa the same as the Golden Visa?

The term New Zealand Golden Visa is an informal description used internationally for New Zealand's residence-by-investment programme. Its official name is the Active Investor Plus Visa.