TIMSON Immigration
New Zealand Residence by Investment Program
1.    Introduction
 
According to the New Zealand immigration rules, an applicant may migrate to New Zealand through any one of the following two resident visa categories:
 
(a) Investor 1 Resident Visa if he/she has not less than NZD$10 million to invest in an acceptable investment in New Zealand over a 3-year investment period; or
(b) Investor 2 Resident Visa if he/she has not less than NZD$3 million to invest in an acceptable investment in New Zealand over a 4-year investment period.
 
If the applicant has met all the conditions of the applicable scheme at the end of his/her investment period, he/she can apply for becoming a permanent resident.
 
 
2.    Investor 1 Resident Visa
 
  •    Eligibility requirements:
 
Under the Investor 1 Resident Visa category, there are no age, business experience and English language ability requirements. However, the applicant must be:
  • in good health;
  • of good character with no criminal records unless a character waiver is granted; and
  • able to meet the fit and proper person requirements.
 
  •    Investment requirements:
 
The applicant must invest at least NZD$10 million in acceptable investments in New Zealand over an investment period of 3 years.
 
  •    Presence requirements:
 
The applicant must physically present in New Zealand:
  • for at least 44 days in each of the last 2 years of the 3-year investment period; or
  • if the applicant has invested not less than NZD$2.5 million in Growth Investments, for at least 88 days at any time over the 3-year investment period.
 
  •    Application process:
 
  • Prepare application documents;
  • Submit the completed application documents to the New Zealand Immigration;
  • Obtain approval-in-principle from the New Zealand Immigration;
  • Within 12 months after receipt of approval-in-principle, transfer investment funds to New Zealand and complete investment in acceptable investments for an investment period of 3 years;
  • Obtain final approval and an initial resident visa for 2 years;
  • Apply for extension of the resident visa;
  • Apply for a permanent resident visa after meeting all the conditions at the end of the investment period.
 
 
3.    Investor 2 Resident Visa
 
Before lodging an application, a potential applicant has to complete and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) Form to the New Zealand Immigration and claim points on the EOI Form based on his/her age, business experience, English language ability and investment funds. If successful, the applicant will be invited to apply for New Zealand residence under the Investor 2 Resident Visa category which is subject to quota - only 400 visas will be available for each year.
 
 
  •    Eligibility requirements:
 
In order to be eligible, the applicant should have:
  • Age: 65 years or under;
  • Business experience: 3 years or above; and
  • Minimum Standard of English:
  • Acceptable English language test result (e.g. an overall score of not less than 3.0 in IELTS);
  • English-speaking background (e.g. having completed a course taught in English that took at least 3 years led to a tertiary qualification); or
  • Competent user of English.
 
In addition, the applicant must be:
  • in good health;
  • of good character with no criminal records unless a character waiver is granted; and
  • able to meet the fit and proper person requirements.
 
  •     Investment requirements:
 
The applicant must invest a minimum of NZD$3 million in acceptable investments in New Zealand over a 4-year investment period.
 
However, the applicant may reduce NZD$0.5 million from the total of his/her acceptable investments by including at least NZD$1.5 million of his/her qualifying investments in Growth Investments.
 
  •    Presence requirements:
 
The applicant must physically present in New Zealand:
  • for at least 146 days per year; or
  • if the applicant has invested a minimum of NZD $750,000 in Growth Investment, for at least 438 days at any time over the 4-year investment period.
 
  •    Application process:
 
  • Complete and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form;
  • Obtain an invitation to apply for residence upon obtaining sufficient EOI points;
  • Prepare application documents;
  • Submit the completed application documents to the New Zealand Immigration;
  • Obtain approval-in-principle from the New Zealand Immigration;
  • Within 12 months after receipt of approval-in-principle, transfer investment funds to New Zealand and complete investment in acceptable investments for an investment period of 4 years;
  • Obtain final approval and an initial resident visa for 2 years;
  • Apply for extension of the resident visa;
  • Apply for a permanent resident visa after meeting all the conditions at the end of the investment period.
 
 
4.    Acceptable investments
 
Acceptable investments include:
  • Bonds issued by the New Zealand Government or local authorities;
  • Bonds issued by New Zealand firms traded on the New Zealand Debt Securities Market (NZDX);
  • Bonds issued by New Zealand firms with at least a BBB- or equivalent rating from an internationally recognized credit rating agency, for example, Standard and Poor’s;
  • Bonds and equity issued by New Zealand registered banks;
  • Bonds in finance companies;
  • Equity in public or private New Zealand firms;
  • Eligible New Zealand venture capital funds;
  • Eligible New Zealand private equity funds;
  • Residential property developments (the applicant and his dependents should not reside in these residential properties, and special approval should be obtained from the New Zealand Government);
  • Commercial properties;
  • Philanthropic investments; and
  • Angel funds.
 
 
5.    Advantages of New Zealand Residence by Investment Program
 
  • The applicant can include his/her partner, and his/her dependent children aged 24 or under, in his/her application.
  • A New Zealand citizen can enjoy the benefits of an Australian resident.
  • The time difference between New Zealand and China is only 4-5 hours; there is no barrier to contact with family and friends.
  • It is very convenient to travel with New Zealand passport: nearly 200 countries visa free, including the United States and Canada.
 
 
6.    New Zealand Citizenship
 
After becoming a permanent resident, the applicant may apply for citizenship if:
  • during the last 5 years immediately before submission of his/her application he/she has been:
  • out of New Zealand for less than 4 months in any 12-month period;
  • physically present in New Zealand for at least 240 days each year; and
  • for at least 1350 days across the 5 last years.
  • he/she intends to keep living in New Zealand;
  • he/she has a good character; and
  • he/she can meet the minimum English language requirements.