Why New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa Is Gaining Momentum Among Wealthy Americans

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New Zealand has quietly emerged as one of the most compelling residency destinations for high-net-worth American families seeking long-term security, diversification, and flexibility outside the United States. 

Since the launch of New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa, the program has attracted significant global attention.This is not despite its high investment thresholds, but because of its clarity, speed, and long-term certainty. In a global environment where many residency and investor programs are slowing down, tightening, or becoming politically sensitive, New Zealand stands out for doing the opposite. 

According to Eric Major, Chairman and CEO of Latitude Group, the program’s early performance has been striking. 

“To think about the investment threshold starting at 5 million New Zealand dollars… and that they’ve attracted, with such a high-ticket price, over 500 applications in only eight months just tells you how popular this program is.” 

Notably, the United States is driving demand. 

“Forty percent of those applicants came from the United States,” Eric Major revealed.  

A Residency Program Built for Long-Term Security 

At its core, New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa is designed to attract experienced investors while supporting the country’s long-term economic objectives. The program offers a structured pathway to permanent residence, with two clearly defined investment options: the Growth Stream and the Balanced Stream. 

Both streams ultimately lead to permanent residence, which in New Zealand carries exceptional long-term value. 

“Once you have permanent residence status in New Zealand, it’s yours for life. There’s no further requirements to maintain it,” said Eric Major. 

For many families, this permanence is central to the program’s appeal. Rather than requiring ongoing renewals or continuous physical presence, permanent residence provides optionality. In other words – the freedom to relocate, if needed, without obligation. 

As Eric Major explains, many applicants view the program as a form of strategic insurance. 

“To become a permanent resident of New Zealand is a nice insurance policy for the family in case things were to become untenable or uncomfortable in your country,” he said. 

Demand, Processing Speed, and Capital Impact: What the Numbers Show

Recent data from Immigration New Zealand highlights how quickly demand for the Active Investor Plus Visa has accelerated.

As of 19 January 2026, Immigration New Zealand has received 532 applications, representing 1,709 applicants in total. Of these, 432 applications fall under the Growth category. 100 were submitted under the Balanced category. 

The majority of applications (482) were new submissions, with a smaller portion (50) transitioning from legacy applications under previous settings. No further transitions are permitted. 

Taken together, these applications represent a potential minimum investment of NZD $3.16 billion into New Zealand’s economy, which is a significant inflow for a program that has been live for less than a year. 

Processing efficiency has so far remained notably strong. 392 applications have already been approved in principle. This includes 324 in the Growth category and 68 in the Balanced category, with 134 applications currently under assessment. To date, only six applications have been withdrawn. 

The average approval-in-principle timeframe stands at just 33 working days. This places the program among the fastest investor visa processes currently available globally. 

As of the same date, 159 applicants have been granted resident visas, which has resulted in approximately NZD $926.2 million in committed capital entering New Zealand. The majority of these investments have been allocated to approved managed funds and bonds, in line with the program’s stated policy objectives. 

The applicant profile further reinforces the program’s global appeal. To date, 201 applications originate from the United States, followed by China (86) and Germany (37). Interest from the UK has been comparatively limited (8 applications). Russia accounts for just three. 

Against this backdrop, understanding the differences between the Growth and Balanced investment streams becomes essential for families assessing suitability and long-term strategy. 

Growth vs Balanced: Two Distinct Investment Pathways 

The Growth Stream requires an investment of NZD 5 million into approved private equity, venture capital, or private credit funds. Applicants must maintain the investment for three years and spend a minimum of 21 days in New Zealand during that period before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence. 

By contrast, the Balanced Stream requires a larger NZD 10 million investment but allows access to a broader range of asset classes, including listed equities and government bonds. This option favors capital preservation, though it comes with longer timelines and higher physical presence requirements. 

As Eric Major outlines: 

“If you want safety of your capital, you’re going to have to put more of it in the country. You’re going to have to spend more time in the country over a lengthier period of time.” 

This clear trade-off between capital risk, time, and physical presence has resonated with sophisticated investors who value transparency and choice. 

Speed as a Competitive Advantage 

One of the program’s most compelling features is its processing speed. It currently ranks among the fastest globally for investor-led residency. 

“They’ve done a marvelous job to date in keeping the approval and decision of each application to under 60 days… I think the last statistic I heard… they were averaging about 35 days,” explained Eric Major. 

However, Eric cautions that this window may not remain open indefinitely. 

“As more and more applicants come in through the door, the processing timelines tend to get longer and longer… So better to do it now than six months or a year’s time from now because it’ll only take longer.” 

This pattern is familiar across investment migration. Programs that succeed often become victims of their own popularity. 

“Portugal is a great success story in our industry, but they have become the victim of their own success, where it takes them over two years to opine on an application.” 

Strategic Diversification Beyond Residency 

Beyond mobility and security, the Active Investor Plus Visa is also being used as part of broader asset diversification strategies. 

“To add New Zealand in the mix of where you’re holding your assets and your funds could be also a good asset management and diversification strategy,” said Eric Major. 

The program’s focus on private equity, venture capital, and private credit aligns with New Zealand’s policy objective of strengthening its domestic investment ecosystem. This approach may evolve, however, as objectives are met.

“At some point it may say, we got enough. And my prediction is that the government in New Zealand will adjust the policy.” 

For this reason, timing plays a critical role for families considering New Zealand as part of their long-term planning. 

A Program Built for a Changing World 

New Zealand’s appeal extends beyond policy mechanics. Its global reputation for stability, safety, and quality of life continues to resonate strongly with American families. 

As Eric Major puts it: 

“New Zealand has a great nation brand… being in a quiet and safe part of the world, which in this tumultuous world is attractive for many Americans.” 

In a landscape where global mobility options are increasingly scrutinized, New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa stands out as a well-structured, forward-looking solution for those with the means to qualify. 

This topic was discussed in depth in a recent episode of The Global Passport Investor where Eric Major explores why New Zealand has become such a powerful Plan B for wealthy American families.  

Learn more about New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa, here. You can also download a complimentary program guide.  

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice.