Eligibility requirements
- Nominate sufficient funds or assets, prove qualifying ownership and lawful accumulation, and transfer the required amount through an accepted traceable channel.
- Use investments that meet the Growth definitions. Direct investments and managed funds require the applicable Invest New Zealand acceptability assessment; a product's marketing label is insufficient.
- Keep qualifying capital invested for 36 months and meet the 21-day presence condition. Budget for fees and living costs separately from the required investment.
- Meet fit-and-proper, health and character requirements. A partner and eligible dependent children aged 24 or younger may be included with appropriate relationship evidence.
- If using philanthropy, stay within the 20% cap and satisfy the eligible recipient, domestic-purpose and private-benefit rules. Donation eligibility is not automatic because an organisation is charitable.
Legal framework
INZ operational instructions BN3: category requirements ↗
Sets the nominated-capital, ownership, lawful-source, transfer, health, character and fit-and-proper requirements.
BN7.10: acceptable investments ↗
Defines qualifying investments; Growth uses acceptable direct investments, approved managed funds and capped eligible philanthropy.
RV2.10: permanent residence after investment conditions ↗
Permanent residence is a later application requiring satisfaction of the imposed investment conditions and other requirements.
Build the evidence
Prepare records that substantiate the relevant criteria. The final checklist depends on the applicant, route and filing authority.
- An indexed capital history linking income, dividends, disposal proceeds, inheritance or qualifying gifts to the nominated assets and bank balances.
- Ownership and valuation documents, relevant tax records and original bank-transfer trails; for a gift, evidence of the donor's lawful source.
- Investment agreements, acceptance evidence, commitment and transfer confirmations, plus compliant arrangements for committed but uncalled managed-fund capital.
- Passports, partnership and dependency evidence, medical examinations and police certificates as required. Prepare a family travel calendar alongside the investment calendar.
How to apply
- 01
Choose Growth deliberately
Compare the three-year investment obligation with liquidity needs and family plans. Request independent investment and tax advice before selecting products.
- 02
Apply with a traceable capital record
Submit the residence application online with nominated assets and the supporting evidence. Explain complex ownership or transfers clearly rather than leaving the reviewer to infer the sequence.
- 03
Complete the investment after approval in principle
The normal transfer-and-invest period is six months. Arrange bank and investment onboarding early and seek any permitted extension before expiry. Approval in principle is not the final resident visa.
- 04
Obtain residence and track obligations
Confirm the investment start date, visa conditions, travel facility and family inclusion. Keep statements and evidence of all investment changes.
- 05
Complete compliance and permanent-residence review
Provide investment evidence at the 24- and 36-month checkpoints within the required period. After conditions are satisfied, prepare the separate permanent-resident-visa application.
After approval & family planning
- Residence allows living, working and studying, subject to the grant conditions. Minimum immigration presence should not be confused with tax residence or citizenship presence.
- Switching investments has regulated reinvestment deadlines; obtain advice before withdrawing funds or changing products.
- Investment acceptance is not a government guarantee of capital or returns. A fund may require commitment beyond the minimum immigration period.
Frequently asked questions
Can all NZD 5 million be a donation?
No. Eligible philanthropy is capped at 20% of total Growth investment. At the minimum total, that is at most NZD 1 million.
Can I buy a home for my family as the qualifying investment?
A personal-use home does not satisfy the Growth investment rules. Any separate property purchase needs its own legal and overseas-investment review.
Is Build to Rent already available under Growth?
Not at the review date. INZ announced availability through approved managed funds from December 2026, with detailed implementation requirements to follow.
Does three years automatically create citizenship?
No. Completing investment conditions may support permanent residence. Citizenship is a separate process with different requirements.
Points to consider
- Verify the exact product's approval status and governing terms before committing capital, particularly after the September 2026 approval changes.
- Do not market this residence route as a capital guarantee or immediate citizenship programme.
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.
General information, not an individual eligibility decision or legal, tax or investment advice. The competent authority determines the outcome. WG’s engagement and any regulated professional work are scoped separately.