Active Investor Plus Visa 2025: Lower Thresholds, No English Test & Two Investment Tiers
- Kate Dear
- Jun 23, 2025
- 1 min read
What’s new?
Two-tier structure. From 11 February 2025 the category splits into a Growth tier (direct or managed-fund investments) requiring NZ $5 million over 3 years, and a Balanced tier (mixed, lower-risk assets) requiring NZ $10 million over 5 years.
English language removed. Applicants no longer need to sit an English-test, making the visa more accessible to global investors.
Faster investment timeline. Funds must now be deployed within six months of Approval-in-Principle (extendable once).
Early results
The revamped settings are already working: 189 applications worth a potential NZ $845 million were lodged in the first three months, with nearly half from U.S. investors.
Why it matters
The lower NZ$5 million entry point and wider asset menu make New Zealand’s “golden visa” one of the most competitive in the OECD, especially for founders and family offices seeking political stability and lifestyle upside.
What next?
Map out whether you prefer the 3-year Growth or 5-year Balanced path.
Talk to us about your immigration pathway today
Interesting update on the Active Investor Plus Visa—lowering thresholds and removing the English test is a clear signal that New Zealand is serious about attracting global capital. What I find most compelling is how the two-tier structure opens doors for investors who might have been priced out before while still maintaining the integrity of the program. Making informed decisions in this space requires leaders to stay on top of shifting regulations and understand how different investment vehicles align with both personal and portfolio goals. We've navigated similar policy changes and found that a leading advanced investment management seminar & course for executives in Wellington, New Zealand gave our team the insights needed to assess opportunities like these with confidence.