New Zealand Golden Visa: Benefits, Requirements, and Process

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autohr img By Vipul Jain
04 Dec, 2024

Are you a wealthy investor looking for a safe haven in one of the most beautiful and thriving countries in the world? Look no further than the New Zealand Golden Visa, a program that offers applicants and their family members a path to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the New Zealand Golden Visa, including eligibility requirements, investment opportunities, and the application process.

What is a Visa?

Before we dive into the details of the New Zealand Golden Visa, let's define what a visa is. A visa is a permit issued by a country's government that allows an individual to enter, stay, and leave that country for a specific period. Visas come in different types, including travel visas, work visas, study visas, and investment visas.

What is a Golden Visa?

A golden visa is a type of investor visa that is offered by countries to boost their economy by attracting wealthy investors. In exchange for making a substantial investment in the country, investors can obtain permanent residency or even citizenship. Golden visas typically have more relaxed requirements than other types of visas, and the investment amount is often high.

Why New Zealand for Internationals?

New Zealand is one of the safest and most beautiful countries in the world, making it an attractive destination for investors seeking a safe haven for their families. With its stunning landscapes, friendly people, and stable economy, New Zealand is a popular destination for tourists and expats alike. Moreover, the country has a high standard of living, excellent education and healthcare systems, and a diverse and inclusive culture.

[caption id="attachment_10435" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]New Zealand Golden Visa Benefits New Zealand[/caption]

Benefits of the New Zealand Golden Visa:

The New Zealand Golden Visa offers numerous benefits to investors, including:

Family Reunification:

Investors can include their spouses and children under the age of 24, granting them residency and the right to study and work in New Zealand.

Low Minimum Stay Requirement:

Golden visa holders must be physically present in the country for at least 117 days during the four-year residence permit term.

English is the Official Language:

Investors from English-speaking countries will feel comfortable relocating to New Zealand. Non-English-speaking investors can use learning opportunity to improve their English language skills.

Path to Citizenship:

After four years of maintaining the investment, visa holders can apply for permanent residency. After a total of five years living in New Zealand and being present in the country for at least 240 days each year, residents can apply for citizenship through naturalization.

One of the Most Secure Countries:

New Zealand is known for being one of the safest, most secure, and least corrupt countries in the world.

Golden Visa Requirements

To be eligible for the New Zealand Golden Visa, applicants must:

  1. Be at least 18 years of age
  2. Be in good health
  3. Be a good person of character
  4. Must speak English
  5. Prove their financial funds and status
  6. Invest a minimum of $15 million NZD (approximately $9.4 million USD) in government-approved categories
  7. Unlike other golden visa programs, the New Zealand Golden Visa does not allow applicants to invest in property to qualify.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must be fit individuals who have never been involved in tax evasion or business fraud. Moreover, they must make the qualifying investment to apply for the New Zealand Golden Visa.

Required Documents

Along with the application form, applicants must submit the following documents:

  • Copy of passport
  • Passport photos
  • Evidence of nominated funds
  • Health check (chest x-ray and medical examination)
  • Criminal background checks
  • Proof of relationship with spouse and dependents (if applicable)

How to Apply for the New Zealand Golden Visa?

To apply for the New Zealand Golden Visa, you must follow the below steps:

1. Submit Residence Application:

Applicants need to submit their residence application online through New Zealand's official immigration website. Along with the application, you will need to submit the following documents:

  1. Copy of passport
  2. Passport photos
  3. Evidence of nominated funds
  4. Health check (chest x-ray and medical examination)
  5. Criminal background checks
  6. Proof of relationship with spouse and dependents (if applicable)
  7. Your spouse and dependents must also submit copies of their passports and passport photos.
  8. There is also a $7,780 NZD application fee that must be paid upon submitting your documents. This fee is non-refundable.

2. Receive Approval in Principle:

Immigration officials will review your documents and request any other information from you. If your application is approved, you will receive approval in principle. This means you can move forward with your investment.

3. Make Your Investment:

Once you have received approval in principle, you have six months to make your first investment of the total $7.5 million NZD (or the weighted equivalent) in the first 18 months of your visa. Before making the investment, you must transfer your funds to a New Zealand bank. The investment must be made in the NZD currency.

[caption id="attachment_10436" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]New Zealand Golden Visa Investment Investment Plan[/caption]

After making the investment, you must provide documentation with proof of the investment and show that the funds came from the stated accounts on your application.

4. Receive Residence Permit:

After proving you have made your initial investment, you will receive your residence permit. As mentioned previously, you have 18 months to invest $7.5 million NZD and 36 months to invest the total $15 million NZD (or its equivalent) in the qualified funds. Immigration officials will check up periodically to ensure you are meeting the investment requirements and maintaining them for at least 48 months.

New Zealand Visa Types:

Aside from the Golden Visa or Active Investor Plus visa, New Zealand offers various types of visas for visitors, students, and workers. Here are some of the other types of visas:

1. Visitor Visa:

This type of visa is for tourists, people visiting family and friends, or those who want to come to New Zealand for business purposes. It allows holders to stay in New Zealand for up to 9 months.

2. Student Visa:

If you plan to study in New Zealand for more than three months, you will need a student visa. The duration of the visa depends on the length of the course you are taking, and it allows you to work part-time while studying.

3. Work Visa:

If you have a job offer in New Zealand, you can apply for a work visa. There are different types of work visas, depending on the type of work you will be doing and the length of your stay.

4. Entrepreneur Work Visa:

This visa is for people who want to start a business in New Zealand. It allows you to work in New Zealand for up to three years, and after that, you can apply for a resident visa.

5. Residence Visa:

A residence visa is for people who want to live in New Zealand permanently. There are different types of residence visas, including the Skilled Migrant Category, the Family Category, and the Business and Investment Category.

In addition to the New Zealand Golden Visa and the new visa categories mentioned above, there is also the Accredited Employer Work Visa. This visa allows skilled workers to obtain a work visa for up to 30 months to work for an accredited New Zealand employer. The employer must be recognized by Immigration New Zealand as having a history of compliance with New Zealand employment and immigration laws.

This visa can be a pathway to residency, and after two years of work with the accredited employer, the applicant may be eligible to apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category. The Accredited Employer Work Visa is a great option for skilled workers looking to gain work experience and potentially obtain residency in New Zealand.

Investment in New Zealand

Aside from the Golden Visa investment options, investing in New Zealand offers various opportunities for international investors. New Zealand's economy is stable, and it offers a favorable investment climate for foreign investors. Here are some investment opportunities in New Zealand:

1. Property:

New Zealand's property market offers a diverse range of investment opportunities, from residential properties to commercial and industrial properties.

2. Agriculture:

New Zealand's agricultural sector is a significant contributor to its economy, and investing in this sector can be profitable.

3. Tourism:

New Zealand's tourism industry is growing rapidly, and investing in tourism-related businesses such as hotels and tour companies can be a wise investment.

4. Technology:

New Zealand's technology sector is growing, and it offers investment opportunities in areas such as software development, telecommunications, and biotechnology.

Tips about Golden Visa

  1. Research: Before making any investment, it's essential to do your research and seek professional advice. You need to know the investment options and the potential risks.
  2. Plan: A successful Golden Visa application requires planning. You need to plan your investment strategy and the timeframe for making the investment.
  3. Hire Professionals: Investing in a foreign country can be complicated, and it's crucial to have professionals to guide you through the process. You may want to hire an immigration lawyer, a financial advisor, or a real estate agent.
  4. Understand the Requirements: To qualify for the Golden Visa, you must meet the eligibility requirements and make the required investment. Understanding the requirements is crucial to a successful application.

Conclusion:

The New Zealand Golden Visa, or Active Investor Plus visa, offers wealthy individuals and investors a safe haven in one of the world's most beautiful and thriving countries. It provides an excellent opportunity to diversify both investments and lifestyle. Obtaining permanent residency in one of the most secure countries in the world can provide ease of mind when planning for the future.

While the investment for the New Zealand Golden Visa is steep, the benefits and opportunities it provides make it an excellent investment opportunity for those who can afford it.

The application process for the Golden Visa is straightforward, and with the right planning and professional guidance, it can be a smooth and successful process.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, after legally living in New Zealand for five years and spending 240 days out of the year in the country, you may qualify for citizenship through naturalization.

Yes, one of the eligibility requirements is that you must speak English.

Yes, you may include your spouse and dependents younger than 24 on your Active Investor Plus visa application. They will receive the same benefits as the main applicant and have the right to reside, work, and study in New Zealand.

No, property investment is not one of the qualified investment opportunities for the Active Investor Plus visa. You can invest in philanthropy, listed equities, managed funds, or direct investment.

It can take around five months to process your New Zealand Golden Visa application.

You must maintain your investments for at least 48 months to remain eligible for the New Zealand Golden Visa.

To maintain residency with the New Zealand Golden Visa, you must be present for at least 117 days out of the four-year visa term.

While it is not mandatory to hire an immigration lawyer to apply for the New Zealand Golden Visa, it’s always a good idea to have professional assistance. Relocating to a new foreign country while investing millions could be overwhelming and a lot to handle. Working with an immigration lawyer will give you peace of mind knowing someone is in your corner working on your behalf to get you the right investment and visa.

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