Immigration - Active Investor Migrant Policy
Following considerable problems under the previous Investor Category Immigration New Zealand opened the Active Investor Migrant Policy on 26 November 2007. The policy is designed to attract to New Zealand migrants with business experience and financial capital to invest in New Zealand.
The information below is a summary of the requirements for the various categories of the Active Investor Policy.
To recognise the significance of investment in New Zealand the policy has been split into three categories. These are:
- General (Active) Investor Category – Migrants must invest a minimum of NZ$2.5 million in New Zealand and have an additional NZ$1 million for settlement funds.
- Professional Investor Category – Migrants must invest NZ$10 million in New Zealand, including at least NZ$2 million in active investment.
- Global Investor Category – Migrants must invest NZ$20 million in New Zealand, including at least NZ$5 million in active investment.
All three categories require that the migrant has at least 4 years business experience. Age limits apply to the General (Active) Investor (54 years) and Professional Investor (64 years) categories as do minimum English language requirements.
The General (Active) Investor Category is a points based system. Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest. Points are awarded for Age, business experience and investment funds. Expressions of Interest are then selected periodically from the Pool according to their points ranking. Selection from the Pool may result in an Invitation to Apply for residence.
Global and Professional Investors do not need to go through the Expression of Interest process.
In addition to the above requirement, applicants under all three categories must be healthy and of good character. To meet long term requirements principal applicants under all three categories must retain their investment funds in acceptable investments for four years and meet requirement for minimum time spent in New Zealand.
The above summary provides a basis for potential migrants to begin assessing their ability to satisfy the requirements of the various Active Investor Policy categories. The application process can be complicated and there can be important timeframes migrants wish to work within. Professional advice should be sought if an application is to be handled professionally and efficiently. We are well placed to discuss with potential migrants the process and their ability to satisfy the requirements and invite anyone considering applying for residence under the Active Investor Policy to contact us for a no obligation consultation.