CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY PROGRAMMES
A selection of alternative residency and citizenship investment programmes to consider.
New Zealand Investor Visa
New Zealand Permanent Residency
Two golden visa options options exist for gaining Permanent Residency in New Zealand through immigration investment. Both provide long-term security and access to one of the world’s most desirable countries to live in. A major advantage is that once granted, New Zealand Permanent Residency is held for life – offering investors a stable base with access to high-quality healthcare and subsidised education. The country’s lifestyle, safety, and strong economy continue to attract global investors and their families. After five years of holding Permanent Residency, it may be possible to naturalise and become a New Zealand citizen.
New Zealand Investor Visa
There are two categories of investor visas in New Zealand: Growth category and Balanced category. Permanent Residency (PR) can be obtained through investing in different categories depending on the visa type. The requirements are as follows:
Growth Category Visa Requirements
- Investment of NZ$5,000,000 for 3 years
- No maximum age
- No English language requirement
- Minimum stay of 21 days over 3 years
- Investment options: equities, managed funds etc.
Balanced Category Visa Requirements
- Investment of NZ$10,000,000 for 5 years
- No maximum age
- No English language requirement
- Minimum stay 105 days over 5 years
- Investment options: bonds, property development, equities, managed funds etc.
New Zealand Entrepreneur Visa – BUSINESS INVESTMENT & RESIDENCY
New Zealand’s entrepreneur Visa is open to applicants introducing high growth and innovative businesses with export potential to New Zealand.
- Capital investment of NZ$100,000
- 120 points or more
- Clear business plan
- Existing business or management experience
- Health, character and English language requirements
New Zealand’s residential property market remains a high-demand investment opportunity for those seeking a New Zealand Golden Visa. With property prices experiencing strong growth, interest rates below 4.0%, and over 70,000 migrants arriving annually, demand for housing continues to rise. However, securing an Investor Visa can be challenging, with rejection rates exceeding 50%.
New Zealand Citizenship by Investment
New Zealand does not offer a direct Citizenship by Investment program. However, foreign investors can apply for New Zealand citizenship after holding Permanent Residency for five years, provided they meet the necessary residency and character requirements. The New Zealand passport ranks highly on La Vida’s Passport Value Index, currently sitting at position 26 – just behind Portugal. It offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 197 countries and territories, covering 86.8% of the world and granting access to 81.0% of global GDP. This makes it a highly valuable passport for international mobility and business.
For those exploring alternative residency pathways, obtaining citizenship from nearby Islands such as Nauru or Vanuatu, can provide significant benefits and are much lower in cost. The Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs in Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Grenada are also popular ways to enhance your global mobility.
To maximize your opportunities for New Zealand residency or a second citizenship, contact La Vida’s experts for a personalised consultation.
