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Active Investor Plus
The Active Investor Plus (AIP) category incentivises investor migrants to invest into New Zealand's high-value, high-growth opportunities, and engage actively with the local market to boost economic growth and innovation.
The Active Investor Plus (AIP) category incentivises investor migrants to invest into New Zealand's high-value, high-growth opportunities, and engage actively with the local market to boost economic growth and innovation.
Increasingly New Zealand is becoming more attractive to investors looking for an alternative residence or second home, particularly with the rise of conflict around the world, political uncertainty and the rejection of globalization.
Globally New Zealand ranks in the top 5 across the five primary motivators for alternative citizenship and residence, them being, safety and security, economic opportunities, quality of life, global mobility and financial freedom.
When approved under the AIP, investors and their family gain the ability to live, work, and invest further into New Zealand.
Attract High-Value Investor Migrants
The AIP category aims to attract experienced, high-value investors, aligning with the Government's strategy to support local businesses and regions in New Zealand. It also starts to futureproof New Zealand’s advancement in the global market. To qualify for this residence visa, applicants must meet key criteria, including:
- Investment: Individuals must undertake to complete an ‘acceptable’ investment in New Zealand of between NZD$5 million and NZD$15 million. The investment amount depends on the investment class pursued by the investor.
- Investment Duration: The investment term is four years. Investors are required to transfer funds to New Zealand and then deploy these funds at key milestones over a three-year period. They are then required to maintain these investments for the fourth year. At the end of the four-year investment period there is no ongoing visa compliance and no requirement for the funds to remain New Zealand.
- Residence Visa: A residence visa is granted on completing an initial investment into acceptable investments. This residence visa provides a pathway to apply for permanent residence (which is valid indefinitely) after four years of maintaining the investment in New Zealand.
- Conditions of Residence Visa: The main applicant in the visa application must spend 117 days in New Zealand during the four-year visa period and met the investment conditions detailed above.
What Constitutes an Acceptable Investment?
Acceptable investments under this category are those that actively contribute to New Zealand's economy. They include:
- Direct Business Investments: Defined as investments into private New Zealand companies looking for growth capital, capital for the implementation of new technologies and expansion into new markets.
- Investments into private equity, venture capital, and private debt funds: Well established funds have been assessed as acceptable by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) for the Active Investor Plus Category.
- Listed equities on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. A maximum of NZ$7.5m can be invested into listed equities. If an individual elects to invest into listed equities, they will also need to invest in other investment classes (direct and/or funds) to meet the requirements.
- Philanthropy investments into registered charities. A maximum of NZ$7.5m can be invested into philanthropic causes.
The above investments receive different ‘weighting’ which dictates how much an individual must invest in New Zealand. For example, direct investments receive the highest weighting (3x) which means for every $1 invested, this is considered as $3 for the purpose of this visa category. If investors wish to invest all funds into direct investments, they can meet the visa requirements by investing NZ$5m into direct investments (NZ$5m x 3 weighting = $15m). Investments into approved funds receive a weighting of x2, listed equities and philanthropy receive a weighting of x1.
To help understand the investment weighting and the level of investment which may be required in New Zealand you can access this helpful calculator: https://www.nzte.govt.nz/aip-calculator
How Does the Active Investor Plus Residence Visa Benefit NZ Investor Migrants?
New Zealand is one of the only nations in the world to offer an indefinite Permanent Residence at the conclusion of the 4-year investment period. Unlike other countries, there is no requirement to convert the Permanent Residence Visa to New Zealand citizenship status, individuals can retain their original citizenship, and hold New Zealand permanent residence which is valid for life.
What Are the Opportunities for Investor Migrants?
New Zealand's modern economy continues to introduce new companies that have the potential to become global competitors. We are well known in a variety of specialist industries, including technology, food and beverage, and renewable energy. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) collaborates with many new and innovative companies and is an important link between investors and prospects for ‘acceptable’ investments.
High-Growth Investment Potential
The NZ economy is characterised by a wide range of business sectors. Many of them have strengths and advantages found nowhere else in the world. Here are three top sectors with high-growth potential, including how they’re significant opportunities for forward-thinking investors and entrepreneurs.
Food & Beverage
In 2021, New Zealand made NZ$31.2 billion from global food and beverage exports.*
New Zealand is one of the world's leading food exporters, supplying premium food and beverage products to millions of people in over 120 countries. NZ is a known exporter of dairy products, lamb, venison, beef, kiwifruit, apples and seafood. Natural production advantages and the expertise of local producers and businesses combine to offer significant potential for investors.
Renewable Energy
New Zealand ranks 2nd in the world for energy security.**
New Zealand's natural resources, world-class technology and national ethos of sustainability contribute to its potential for investment in renewable energy. NZ has the fourth-highest share of renewable energy in the OECD, currently at 84% and rising. It is estimated to have around 14,700 MW of additional capacity, offering significant scope for high-growth investment opportunities across the clean-energy value chain.
Tech & Innovation
In 2021, New Zealand experienced a 48% growth in early-stage investment tech.***
New Zealand is known for its unique and leading technology and innovation. Being on the edge of the world has fostered a new approach to challenges, driving the nation to become innovators. NZ tech companies continue to be recognised globally due to their fresh perspectives, creative energy, and unexpected answers to old problems. This is seen in the growing increase in capital investment, with a 111% increase in NZ tech businesses in 2021****.
Sources
*Stats NZ Export Data YE June 2021
**International Index of Energy Security Risk (2020)
***New Zealand Capital Growth Partners (NZGCP), TIN research
****Global Innovation Index, 2020
Get Professional Investor Visa NZ Advice
Our specialist team of advisers provide expert advice on all parts of the immigration process. When you choose to make your life or invest in New Zealand, it’s imperative you trust your adviser and they have a proven track record of success. We take the time at the outset to get to know you, your family and your goals to make sure you will qualify. Get in touch with us today!
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