Investor Plus (Investor 1) - NZ$10 million invested for three years.
Top priority category for high value investors, investing NZ$10 million or more for 3 years. There is no age limit or English language requirement. The investor must stay in New Zealand for a minimum period of 20 % for each of the last two years of the three year investment period.
An application for Residence is filed with the Department with all the evidence that the investor wishes to have considered. This covers health, character, source of funds and nominated New Zealand investment.
Upon approval in principle the investment funds must be transferred to New Zealand within 12 months (with a possible extension of a further 12 months) through the trading bank system and placed within an acceptable investment.
The essential criteria are:
- No upper age limit
- No English language requirement
- No business experience requirement
- Nominated investment funds that have been lawfully earned or acquired totaling NZ$10 million
- Investment of NZ$10 million for a period of three years
- NZ investment - Government or local body bonds, bonds issued by NZ firms listed on the NZ Debt Securities Market, bonds issued by NZ firms with at least BBB rating, equity in NZ firms (including managed funds)
- Health and character tests must be passed
- This is not a points test, rather apply and meet the minimum criteria.
Investor (Investor 2) - NZD$1.5 million invested for four years.
Age limit is up to 65 years old. Applicants must be selected from the "pool" through a points system. The investor is also required to have NZ$1 million as settlement funds, although these do not have to be physically transferred to New Zealand and must stay in New Zealand at least 40% (146 days) in each of the last three years of the four year investment period.
The essential criteria are:
- A points system
- Investment of NZ$1.5 million of 'unencumbered' funds in NZ for a period of four years in an acceptable NZ investment (Government or local body bonds, bonds issued by NZ firms listed on the NZ Debt Securities market, bonds issued by NZ firms with at least a BBB rating, equity in NZ firms (including managed funds).
- An additional $1m in 'settlement funds' must be available to the applicant but need not be transferred to NZ
- Investment funds must be proven to have been lawfully earned or acquired (this includes inherited or donated)
- All investments must be in New Zealand dollars and must come to New Zealand through the trading bank system
- Upper age limit of 65
- Health and character tests must be passed
- Applicants must have appropriate business experience (minimum three years)
- English language competency a requirement but at a low level
- This is a points system with a 'floating' pass mark i.e. you will not necessarily know when you express an interest in the policy if you qualify or not (although like the Skilled Migrant floating pass marks there are always trends readily identifiable to those working with the system daily).. There are 300 places available through a pool system (as per the Skilled Migrant Category).
