New Zealand is known to be the most naturally beautiful and safest country in the world; not only it is famous for its stunning national parks and famous hiking trails, but also for being consistently present in the top 10 in terms of protecting investors, starting a business, and ease of doing business. This country has a globally competitive market that gives the opportunity to foreign investors to grow their business while achieving a work-life balance with world-class education and healthcare system for them and their families. For the year 2021, the country is expecting more applications for their Golden Visa New Zealand for their transparency in government and lack of corruption, which has been a key point for their successful response amidst COVID-19. The country is lead by a government that encourages cooperation, communication, and empathy through their New Zealand Model, which makes it one of the best countries for foreign investors to start a life.
The Golden Visa New Zealand offers options for immigrant investors that are planning to establish a business in their country and later on get a permanent residency along with their family. It can be obtained by investing in residential property, commercial property, and certain high growth investments. The investments available in order to apply for the Golden Visa New Zealand are:
- Equity in public or private NZ firms. It can be rather active or passive, whereas only the proportion of the Fund that is invested in BZ is counted as acceptable.
- Bonds issued by the NZ Government, NZ local authorities, or approved NZ banks, finance companies, or firms.
- New residential property development that is not for the investor’s personal use and designed to make a commercial return on the open market.
- The chance to invest in 15% of the fees.
Requirements to get the Golden Visa New Zealand
The requirements of the available options are:
- Investor 1 Category Visa– An investment of NZ$10,000,000 for 3 years. There is no age limit for the investor, neither a requirement for the English language. The investor has to live at least 33 days in NZ in each of the last 2 years after the residence is approved, or 88 days over the three year investment period.
- Investor 2 Category Visa– An investment of NZ$3,000,000 for 4 years. Maximum age of 65, whereas the investor and family members must have English language ability the same as principal applicant or pre-purchase ESOL tuition. The investor has to stay for 438 days over 4 years after the residence is approved. This investment option has an annual quota of 400 applicants.
- New Zealand Entrepreneur Visa– A capital investment of NZ$100,000 with 120 points or more. The investor must have an existing business or management experience and present a clear business plan.
On both categories 1 and 2 visas, the investors must invest an entry of 25% of their investment funds into assets other than Bonds and Philanthropic Investment; however, if investors are capable of investing at least 50%, there will be a reduction of $0.5m on the totality of their investment amount. For example, if you nominate $3,000,000 of investment funds and invest $1,500,000 outside of Bonds and Philanthropic Investment, you will only be required to invest a further $1,000,000 to meet the visa requirements.
After choosing the category that is more suited to you, you must transfer your investment funds in an acceptable investment in New Zealand during the next 12 months, or apply for an extension. Once your documents have been verified, you will be granted with the Golden Visa New Zealand and can qualify for the citizenship after five years.