Who can qualify

Eligibility requirements

  • Nominate at least NZD 10 million of qualifying owned funds or assets and demonstrate a lawful source and acceptable transfer into New Zealand.
  • Select acceptable Balanced investments: qualifying listed equities, bonds, philanthropy, property development, approved managed funds or direct investments. Personal-use assets do not qualify.
  • Maintain the required investment for 60 months and meet the applicable presence condition. The shorter Growth period does not apply simply because part of a Balanced portfolio uses Growth assets.
  • Meet health, character and fit-and-proper requirements. Family inclusion requires the relevant partnership and dependency tests, rather than wealth alone.
  • To reduce presence, nominate the additional funds before approval in principle and invest them in qualifying direct investments or managed funds for the full five-year period. Additional philanthropy does not earn this reduction.

Build the evidence

Prepare records that substantiate the relevant criteria. The final checklist depends on the applicant, route and filing authority.

  • A portfolio allocation schedule that distinguishes each asset class, qualifying amount, ownership structure and supporting eligibility evidence.
  • A source-of-wealth and source-of-funds file, with bank records showing the journey from nominated assets to the final investment.
  • Product statements, transaction confirmations and custody records. For property development, obtain the project evidence and relevant consent or exemption analysis before commitment.
  • Family civil-status records, dependency evidence, medical and character documents, plus a proposed residence and reporting calendar.

How to apply

  1. 01

    Plan the portfolio and presence

    Model the five-year commitment and family travel schedule. Decide before filing whether a qualifying additional investment is justified for a presence reduction.

  2. 02

    Verify the assets and submit

    Review each intended allocation against its specific immigration rules. Lodge the online residence application with nominated capital and an indexed evidence trail.

  3. 03

    Transfer and invest

    After approval in principle, complete the required investment within the normal six-month window or an approved extension. Preserve transfer evidence and confirm the investment period's start date.

  4. 04

    Operate the compliance calendar

    Track investment retention, qualifying reinvestment, physical presence and evidence deadlines. Submit investment evidence at 24 and 60 months within the required reporting period.

  5. 05

    Close the investment-condition review

    Prepare evidence that all conditions have been met and apply for their removal and permanent residence as applicable. Keep travel conditions valid while that process is completed.

After approval & family planning

  • The resident visa supports living, work and study. Eligible family members may be included; their circumstances and documentation must be addressed individually.
  • Unplanned liquidation can create a compliance problem. Reinvestment deadlines vary by asset class and should be checked before executing a transaction.
  • Immigration approval does not determine tax treatment, suitability of an investment, a guaranteed return or eligibility for citizenship.

Frequently asked questions

How do the presence reductions work?

A total of NZD 11 million with at least NZD 1 million in the specified additional Growth investments reduces presence to 91 days; NZD 12 million with NZD 2 million reduces it to 77; NZD 13 million or more with NZD 3 million reduces it to 63. The additional funds must be nominated in time and retained.

Does purchasing a NZD 10 million home qualify?

No. A home for personal use is excluded. Eligible property development has detailed commercial, development and consent requirements; a property price alone establishes nothing.

Can I include an overseas diversified fund?

Not automatically. Assess the investment under the relevant category and confirm the eligible New Zealand allocation. An international fund name or New Zealand distributor is not enough.

Can I switch from Balanced to Growth?

INZ permits one category change during assessment or within the first six months after approval in principle, subject to its rules. Reassess capital allocation, timing and presence before requesting a change.

Points to consider

  • A broader investment menu does not make every asset eligible or remove capital risk.
  • The additional-investment presence reduction must be planned before approval in principle; it is not a retrospective travel waiver.

Sources & further reading

Editorial review: 21 October 2026. Official rules, forms, fees and entry restrictions can change. Check the linked authority before an application or investment decision.

  1. INZ: visas for investing and doing business ↗
  2. INZ: investor category changes and presence options ↗
  3. INZ: acceptable investment instructions ↗
  4. INZ: minimum presence and qualifying reductions ↗
  5. INZ: managing investments and reporting ↗
  6. INZ: evidence of funds and assets ↗