Govt expanding investor visa to include commercial property

10th February 2025 By Paul Yandall | paul@propertyticker.co.nz | @propertyticker

The government says it is “modernising” the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa, with commercial and industrial property development among the options to be available for investment.

The changes will see the introduction of two investment categories, Growth and Balanced, which aimed to increase the scope of acceptable options for investors.

The Growth category will allow higher-risk investments, including direct investments in New Zealand businesses and managed funds. It will require a minimum investment of $5m for a minimum period of three years, with the investor to spend at least 21 days in New Zealand during that time.

The Balanced category will focus on mixed investments, with the ability to choose ones that are lower risk, such as new or existing property developments, bonds, listed equities, philanthropy, as well as direct investments and managed funds. It will require a minimum investment of $10m over five years, with a 105 days being in New Zealand needed. although this time could be reduced by investing more.

New property developments included commercial and industrial, residential, rental, and social housing. Existing property developments included commercial or industrial.

Investments in sensitive land would still need Overseas Investment Office approval.

“We should be rolling out the welcome mat and encouraging investor migrants to choose New Zealand as a destination for their capital,” Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said in a statement on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, changes made to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa category by the previous government had the effect of discouraging potential investors from seeking New Zealand residence. Since 2022, migrants entering New Zealand under the AIP category have invested just $70m. By contrast, in the two years prior to Covid-19 migrants invested $2.2bn.

“Rather than turning potential investors away, this government is intent on welcoming people who want to contribute to New Zealand. We are already making it easier for digital nomads to work remotely while visiting here and have established Invest New Zealand to promote investment into this country.”

The government also ended the AIP’s English language requirement, with the visa changes to take effect from 1 April 2025.