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New Zealand

Investor Visa (Category 2)

If you wish to invest and settle in New Zealand, you may apply for an Investor Resident visa.

You must be able to invest NZ$3,000,000 in New Zealand within four years. To be acceptable, the investment must be made in lawful enterprises or managed funds, be able to make a commercial return, have the potential to contribute to the country’s economy and has to be made in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).

The investment cannot be made in properties for personal use, such as a home, a boat or a car.

Usually, the investment can be made in one or a combination of:
- Bonds issued by the government or local authorities or firms traded on the New Zealand Debt Securities Market (NZDX) or firms with at least a BBB- or equivalent rating or registered banks or finance companies.
- Philanthropic investments.
- Equity in NZ firms (public or private) or registered banks.
- NZ eligible venture capital funds.
- Angel investor funds.
- Residential property development (if the purpose of the development is to make a commercial return and not for personal use).
- Commercial property.

At least NZ$750,000 should be invested in a considered “growth investment”. If you invest a minimum of NZ$1,500,000 in “growth investments” you will be eligible to qualify for a reduction of NZ$0.5 million of the investment amount and qualify for 20 bonus points towards the citizenship appraisal.

Growth investments are those other than bonds and philanthropic initiatives.

You will be required to spend a minimum time period in New Zealand of 146 days in each of the last three years of the four year investment, or 483 days over the last three years of the four year investment.

This visa allows you to stay indefinitely if you keep the investment for at least 4 years. You can move your funds from an investment to another, provided that it still meets the above requirements. You can include your family dependents (spouse and dependent children) in the application.

Once the investment has been kept for 4 years, you may change your resident status to permanent resident.

After 5 years of residency, you may apply for citizenship. You may be required to show ties to the country, such as a permanent home, attend an interview and have knowledge on New Zealand’s history, culture and values.

Requirements


- You must be 65 y.o. or under.
- Evidence that you have the assets/funds to make the investment, such as bank statements, title deeds, property/assets valuations, shares certificates or business ownership documents.
- Evidence that the funds are earned lawfully, such as tax returns, pay slips, business shareholdings, business financial statements, dividends, receipts of property sales, bank certificates, shares trading profits or gifted or inherited money.
- Proof of 3-years of recognized business experience, such as certificates of company incorporation, tax returns, job descriptions, performance reviews, strategic planning documents, professional references or certificates of service.
- Transfer your investment funds to New Zealand from your bank account to a New Zealand’s bank and make the investment during the first 12 months after the visa application is approved. A further 6 months may be requested.
- Once the investment is made, provide documents from a trusted professional like a chartered accountant or solicitor confirming it.
- Submit an Expression of Interest, and be awarded with enough points on New Zealand’s Immigration point scale. Points are determined by age, investment form, business experience and English skills.
- Have a chest x-ray and a medical examination as proof of your good health.
- Good character, not pose a security risk and not threaten New Zealand’s international reputation.
- Fit and proper person, all businesses you have influence over must have complied with all immigration, employment and taxation laws. You must have never been investigated by the Serious Fraud Office or the New Zealand police for any offense resulting from business dealings, you must have no convictions for an offense involving dishonesty and have never been involved in business fraud or financial impropriety.
- Evidence of an acceptable English language test result or evidence you have an English-speaking background or evidence you're a competent user of English for other reasons. Dependents must also fulfill the language skills requirement.

Restricted Nationalities


No nationality is officially restricted

dual citizenship


Dual citizenship is recognized in New Zealand. You are not required to renounce your previous nationality to become a citizen of New Zealand.


Documents Required


  • Original and photocopy of passport
  • Medical Certificate
  • Original Police Clearance Certificate
  • Evidence of language skills
  • Original or Certified copy of Birth Certificate (if applicable)
  • Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
  • Bank Statement
  • Proof of assets
  • Evidence of Business Background
  • Statement of Source of Funds
  • Two passport-size photos
  • dual citizenship Yes
  • Family members included Yes
  • land ownership Yes
  • Physical residence required Yes
  • Personal visit required No
  • Language skills required Yes
  • Interview required No
  • Investment Single NZ$3,000,000
  • Investment Family 4 NZ$3,000,000
  • Minimum annual income -
  • Time to citizenship 60
  • Time to permanent residency
  • Visa-free countries 190
  • Financing available No

Country details

New Zealand
NZD
64
Wellington
Oceania
English (New Zealand),
4,252,277
New Zealand is a country of Oceania and a member of the Commonwealth. It is located in the southwest of the Pacific Ocean and formed by two large islands: the North Island and South Island, along with many other smaller islands, standing out among them Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands.

The Kingdom of New Zealand also includes the self-governing autonomous states of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau. It has a population of over 4.5 million inhabitants. The capital is Wellington, but its most populated city is Auckland, both of which are located on the North Island. Its official languages are English, Māori and the sign language of New Zealand. Its official currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD), which is one of the ten largest global transaction currencies.

Visa Free Travel

With your new passport from New Zealand you'll be able to access 190 countries visa free
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Taxes

Individuals who have a permanent place of abode in New Zealand or spend at least 183 days in any 12-month period are considered tax residents.

Tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income, while non-residents are subject to tax on their NZ-source income. Tax exemptions may apply for certain income accrued in NZ by non-residents.

New residents may be granted a four-year tax exemption on income accrued abroad.

Personal income is taxed at progressive rates up to 33%.
There is no capital gains tax, however certain gains derived from the sale of real estate may be included in the personal income tax base. Gains on financial instruments may be treated as ordinary income and taxed on an accrual basis. Rental income is taxed at standard rates.

Dividends are treated as ordinary income, but a tax credit for underlying tax paid may be available. Income derived from certain collective investment vehicles is taxed at progressive rates of 10.5%, 17.5%, and 28%.

New Zealand has enacted extensive controlled foreign company rules. The rules apply when five or fewer New Zealand residents directly or indirectly control more than 50% of a foreign company, or when a single New Zealand resident directly or indirectly controls 40%. Passive income of a CFC is attributable.

Apart from the CFC rules, there is a Foreign Investment Fund regime. This regime applies if the investor does not have a sufficient interest in a foreign entity for it to be considered a CFC. Under this regime passive income derived from foreign investments and retained in foreign entities may be taxable if certain conditions are met.

Local authorities levy real property taxes on the official value of the property. There are no transfer, inheritance and net worth taxes.

Goods and services tax is levied at a 15% rate, although certain supplies are tax-exempt.

Regarding corporate taxation, resident entities are subject to an income tax of 28% on their worldwide income. If you want to learn more about New Zealand’s corporate taxation, legal framework and tax treaties, check out incorporations.io/new-zealand.

This should not be construed as tax advice. We have access to a global network of qualified attorneys and accountants who can give you the proper advice for your particular circumstances. Contact us for further information.

  • Property tax Yes
  • Transfer tax No
  • Inheritance tax No
  • Net worth tax No
  • CFC law Yes
  • Tax residency days 183
  • Personal income tax rate 33%
  • Capital Gains tax rate 33%
  • Investment income tax rate 33%
  • Territorial taxation Yes

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