New Zealand Golden Visa: Exclusive Pathway to Residence and Ultra-Luxury Property Ownership

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A Strategic Opportunity for Global Investors

New Zealand has announced a significant policy shift that strengthens the appeal of its Golden Visa program. From 1 September 2025, holders of the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa—widely known as the New Zealand Golden Visa—will be permitted to purchase or build one residential property worth NZD 5 million (approximately USD 3 million) or more.

This targeted exemption to the Overseas Investment Act 2005 is carefully designed to protect local housing affordability while giving investors the opportunity to anchor their residency with a tangible asset.

New Zealand Golden Visa and Luxury Real Estate

For years, international investors faced restrictions on acquiring New Zealand property. Rules introduced in 2018 curtailed overseas purchases to prevent pressure on the housing market. The new exemption, however, recognises the strategic role high-value investors play in the economy.

Only homes at the very top of the market—properties above NZD 5 million, representing less than one per cent of the national housing stock—qualify. This ensures that affordability for local buyers remains unaffected, while global investors can now establish more genuine ties through luxury real estate ownership.

Pathway to New Zealand Permanent Residence

The Active Investor Plus visa remains the central gateway to New Zealand permanent residence. Introduced in 2025, the program is structured to attract sophisticated investors whose capital generates long-term benefits for the country.

Applicants can qualify with a minimum investment of NZD 5 million through approved managed funds or direct businesses, or NZD 10 million through a broader portfolio including bonds, listed equities, philanthropy, and property development. Physical presence requirements are minimal, making the program highly flexible for internationally mobile families. Processing is typically completed within four months, making it one of the more efficient residency-by-investment pathways worldwide.

Once granted, investors and their families can live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely. Permanent residence is available after three years, and citizenship may be pursued after five years of residence.

Advantages of New Zealand Residence for UHNW Families

For ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the New Zealand residence program offers far more than immigration flexibility. It provides a secure, long-term jurisdiction for wealth, family, and lifestyle planning.

New Zealand’s advantages include a stable legal framework rooted in English common law, no capital gains, estate, or wealth taxes, and an education system recognized globally. The country is also valued as a geopolitical safe haven, offering stability and neutrality in uncertain times. The ability for investors to further diversify their property portfolios into one of the world’s most exclusive residential markets, from central Auckland to Queenstown and Waiheke Island.

A Strategic Moment for Investors

The announcement is not just a policy update but a signal of intent: New Zealand is opening its doors to those who wish to build meaningful, long-term connections. For UHNW families, this development makes the New Zealand Golden Visa one of the most sophisticated residency programs available—combining investment, residence, and real estate in a jurisdiction of unparalleled safety and natural beauty.

Latitude stands ready to guide clients through the process. For more information, contact us today.