New Zealand is a country in the South Pacific, separated from Australia by 2,000 km of ocean. It is made up of several islands, with its population concentrated in two main zones: the North Island and the South Island.
With a population of 4.4 million, it is one of the most geographically isolated developed countries. This allowed its flora and fauna to develop separately from the rest of the world, becoming the perfect setting to bring to life the landscapes of the Lord of the Rings movies.
Why New Zealand?
Before introducing you to all the information related to New Zealand, if you are considering options for citizenship or residency by investment programs, contact us!. Our specialised team can help you with all your concerns. Click here.
New Zealand has an immigration and investment policy that provides the opportunity for foreign nationals to obtain permanent residence in New Zealand by making a substantial investment in the country.
Residence can be obtained through investing between NZD 3 million for an Investor 2 resident visa and NZD 10 million for an Investor 1 resident visa in acceptable investments and maintaining these investments in New Zealand for at least four and three years, respectively.
Requirements for the visa:
The Investor 1 and Investor 2 resident visa programs allow applicants to live, work, and study in New Zealand. Applicants can include their spouse and dependent children aged 24 years and younger in their applications.
Investor 1 resident visa
An applicant must invest NZD 10 million in New Zealand over three years to apply for New Zealand residence under this program.
There is no maximum age limit, no language requirement, and no business experience requirement.
Investor 2 resident visa
This visa is applicable applies to experienced businesspeople aged 65 years or younger, who have a minimum of NZD 3 million in available funds or assets. A points-based system is used to assess eligibility.
Applicants must invest at least NZD 3 million in an acceptable investment in New Zealand, to be held for four years.
Applicants are required to have an English-speaking background or an International English Language Testing System test report with an overall band score of three or more, or they should be competent users of English.
Procedures and Time Frame for the Residency by investment:
The procedures and time frames for the Investor 1 and Investor 2 resident visa programs are reasonably straightforward with specialist assistance.
Investor 1 resident visa
Applicants apply directly to Immigration New Zealand for the resident visa, without the need for an expression of interest (EOI).
An approval in principle is usually given within five to six months depending on the quality of the information provided as well as security and health checks.
Immigration New Zealand will only approve in principle and will not issue the visa until the funds have been transferred and invested and evidence of this is submitted to the agency. The resident visa may then be issued within two to four weeks.
Successful applicants must spend at least 44 days in each of the last two years of the three-year investment period in New Zealand or 88 days over the entire three-year period if they invest at least NZD 2.5 million in growth investments.
If all conditions that apply to the first two years of the first two-year investment period are met, the applicant can apply for a variation of conditions to allow travel in and out of New Zealand for another two years.
If conditions at the end of the three-year investment period are met, the applicant and family members can apply for permanent residence, that is, a resident visa valid for life.
Investor 2 resident visa
EOI must be sent to Immigration New Zealand outlining the applicant’s details, business experience, and investment funds.
If the EOI is successful, the applicant and their spouse and/or dependents are invited to apply for New Zealand residence. Invites are generally issued within two weeks of selection of an EOI.
Once invited to apply, the applicant will have four months to apply.
An approval in principle is usually given within approximately 18 months but is reliant on the quality of the information provided as well as security and health checks.
Immigration New Zealand will only approve in principle — they will not issue the visa until the funds have been transferred and invested and evidence of this is submitted to the agency, after which the visa may then be issued within two to four weeks.
Evidence that the invested funds have been maintained will be required at the end of the second and fourth years of the applicant’s residence in New Zealand.
The main applicant needs to accumulate 146 days in each of years two, three, and four of the investment period, or 438 days over the entire four-year investment period if they invest at least NZD 750,000 in growth investments.
So, if you are interested in finding out more about the New Zealand residency by investment program and its opportunities to develop business, contact us today! Below this article, you will find a link to set up a free fifteen-minute consultation with us to discuss your options further.
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