New Zealand makes ‘golden visa’ simpler, drops language test to woo rich immigrants

SCMP | Feb. 8, 2025, 11:23 p.m. | Original

The skyline of Auckland. New Zealand has simplified its “golden visa” scheme to lure more foreign investors. Photo: Reuters

New Zealand has simplified its so-called “golden visa” programme and removed an English-language requirement to attract wealthy immigrants and help spark an economic recovery.

From April 1, the Active Investor Plus visa will be narrowed to just two categories, while the scope of acceptable investments will be expanded, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said on Sunday in Auckland. As well as dropping the language test, other potential barriers to investment such as the amount of time investors must stay in the country will also be adjusted, she said.

“Capital is highly mobile and in an increasing complex world, people are looking for a safe and stable country to do business,” Stanford said. “We are now making our investor visa simpler and more flexible to incentivise investors to choose New Zealand as a destination.”

After a sharp recession in 2024, the New Zealand government wants to capitalise on falling interest rates to lift economic performance but has acknowledged it needs lacks the necessary capital. It is reworking foreign investment regulations, created a single agency to act as a one-stop shop for overseas fund managers, and has eased rules to allow visitors to work remotely , hoping that might encourage highly skilled people to relocate permanently.

“We should be rolling out the welcome mat and encouraging investor migrants to choose New Zealand as a destination for their capital,” Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said on Sunday. “Foreign investment has the potential to provide jobs for Kiwis, lift incomes by delivering new businesses and investing in existing ones.”

The Active Investor Plus visa was successful at luring rich individuals to New Zealand and raked in an average NZ$1 billion (US$570 million) a year, but has languished after rule changes in late 2022.

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