New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa could be your family’s ticket to dual residency.
The idea of having another country to decamp to—either for a change or scenery, new cultural immersion, or for the peace of mind that comes with flexibility—is increasingly attractive. While many countries around the world offer some sort of investment-based residency, New Zealand has emerged as an attractive frontrunner for high-net-worth families. New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa program offers a strategic pathway to permanent residency through qualifying investments. With investment thresholds starting at NZ$5 million (approximately USD$3 million) and minimal physical presence requirements as low as 21 days over the course of three years, the program provides an attractive "Plan B" option for globally mobile families.
Why UHNW families might want to consider New Zealand
Affluent families increasingly seek optionality through "Plan B" residency strategies—securing permanent residency rights in stable, economically viable countries while maintaining their primary lifestyle and business interests elsewhere (such as in the United States).
New Zealand has emerged as a premier destination, offering political stability, exceptional quality of life, world-class education and healthcare, and an English-speaking democratic society. In April 2025, the country revised the requirements for its Active Investor Plus visa, a move that has generated more than NZ$1 billion in pending applications, with Americans representing a substantial proportion of applicants. Note that residency is not the same as citizenship. Those who establish residency in New Zealand won’t receive a New Zealand passport, and they will be taxed in the United States. Still, this can be an intriguing opportunity for families and individuals seeking greater geographic flexibility.
How the Active Investor Plus visa program works
Applicants should be prepared to invest at least NZ$5 million (approximately USD$3 million) in New Zealand’s economy, via qualifying New Zealand investments, with options ranging from higher-risk managed funds and direct business investments to diversified portfolios including listed equities and bonds. There is a second opportunity that requires more cash investment but offers additional flexibility in terms of the time spent in-country. In either case, applicants will navigate an approval process that includes a character and health verification and ongoing compliance monitoring to ensure that foreign permanent residents don’t create a drain on the country’s resources.
The Active Investor Plus visa program emphasises economic contribution while maintaining flexibility for investors who don't wish to relocate permanently. If clients choose to pursue this residency program, Whittier Trust can help select the qualifying investments, stay on top of the requirements, such as minimum thresholds and holding periods, and coordinate with Immigration New Zealand.
How the two programs work
The first program is called the Growth Category, and it requires an investment of NZ$5 million (approximately USD$3 million). Investors are required to leave the funds invested in Invest New Zealand-approved managed funds (such as private equity, venture capital, or private debt) for a minimum of three years. They are also required to be physically in New Zealand for 21 days over the course of those three years. This program could be ideal for investors who are seeking a minimal time commitment and the shortest path to residency.
The second investment program is called the Balanced Category. It requires a higher investment amount of NZ$10 million (equivalent to USD$6 million) with a five-year holding period and investment options such as NZ equities, bonds, property development, managed funds, and philanthropy. To obtain residency, these investors must spend 105 days in New Zealand over the five years. However, the physical presence requirement may be reduced by 14 days per additional NZ$1 million investment for Balanced category investors who add Growth-type investments above the NZ $10M minimum (the maximum reduction is 42 days). This program is best for investors seeking diversified, lower-risk portfolios with longer time horizons.
Key program features
Once the initial investment and physical presence requirements are met, both programs provide lifelong permanent residency for the investor(s) and their immediate family. This gives those family members the unrestricted right to live, work, or study in New Zealand and offers access to the country’s healthcare and education systems. Citizenship may be explored after five years.
Plus, the capital investments may be fully repatriated after the designated holding period. This is an advantage over many other countries’ residency programs.
Important tax considerations
United States citizens are required to pay taxes in their home country; it’s vital to consider the tax implications of establishing residency in another country, including New Zealand. Individuals become NZ tax residents when they are either present in-country more than 183 days in any 12-month period or they maintain a "permanent place of abode" in New Zealand. Those looking to avoid taxation in New Zealand should structure their presence carefully to avoid unintentional tax residency.
However, for Active Investor Plus holders, those meeting only the minimum physical presence requirements (from 21 to 105 days over a period of years) without establishing a permanent home typically avoid NZ tax residency entirely.
The U.S.-New Zealand Tax Treaty, a bilateral agreement established in 1982, prevents double taxation through foreign tax credits and tie-breaker rules for dual residency. Whittier Trust clients can expect their client advisor to help guide them through the process to achieve the most tax-advantaged outcomes.
Next steps
If you and your family are considering exploring alternate international residency and these programs sound intriguing, it’s important to have a trusted advisor in your corner to help you successfully navigate the challenges that come with such a shift. As the coordinating family office, Whittier Trust can help assess whether such a move aligns with your family’s wealth and estate planning goals. We will help make sure that any investments made integrate well with your overall portfolio planning, monitor the NZ investment’s performance and compliance, and, if necessary, plan for capital repatriation at the end of the holding period.
We are also poised to make connections with vetted immigration, investment, and travel specialists. This represents a natural extension of our family office consulting for globally mobile families who need complex coordination across immigration, investment, tax, and lifestyle planning.
If this sounds attractive, don’t expect it to be an instant process. Allow several months to explore whether these programs are right for you, building in time to discuss financial planning, have tax consultations, plan an exploratory visit to New Zealand, and select the necessary service provider. If you decide you want to proceed, the application process can take three to six months to gather the necessary documents, submit an EOI (expression of interest), apply for the visa, and receive an approval letter. Depending on the program, the investment period is three to five years, so be prepared to leave your investments for at least that long. Once the investment period is complete and you’ve obtained permanent resident status, it’s appropriate to consider capital repatriation and redeployment of those funds into the family portfolio.
If you’re curious about whether or not such a program aligns with your family’s goals, we are always available.
Written by Whit Batchelor, Executive Vice President, Client Advisor and San Diego Regional Manager.
If you're interested in learning more about how strategic investments can impact your residency, speak to a Whittier Trust advisor today by visiting our contact page.
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