BECOME AN ACCEPTABLE AIP INVESTMENT

Learn more about how you can become an AIP Approved Investment

The Active Investor Plus (AIP) Direct Investment Criteria set out in the Immigration Instructions are intended to ensure the AIP programme attracts investors who are actively engaged in New Zealand’s investment ecosystem — helping to build globally successful businesses and contribute to the growth of our economy.

All direct investments must demonstrate genuine investment interest before being assessed by Invest New Zealand.

Acceptable investments for Growth category can include:

1. Growth Category

Managed Funds
Direct Investments

2. Balanced Category

Listed equities  
Philanthropy  
Property development  
Bonds

AIP Applicants under the Balanced Category may also invest in Growth Category investments.

If you are a New Zealand fund seeking capital and connections from Investor Migrants, you can learn more and see if your fund is an acceptable investment for the active Investor Plus Visa programme here.

Acceptable managed funds Acceptable direct investments Become an Acceptable Managed Fund - Active Investor Plus visa

Note:

The Active Investor Plus Visa scheme is not designed to cater to every available investment opportunity in New Zealand. There may be instances where opportunities do not meet the criteria under either the Growth and/or Balanced categories.

Therefore, applicants and entities seeking to qualify as acceptable investments under this visa are encouraged to carefully review the acceptable investment criteria in the immigration instructions. This should be done before making an investment or applying to Invest New Zealand to become an acceptable investment.

Overview of growth investments

Managed funds Direct investments

Managed funds

For an investment in a managed fund to be considered an acceptable investment, the investment must be in:

the managed investment products issued by a managed investment scheme which is on the acceptable managed fund list maintained by Invest NZ.

For the avoidance of doubt, a managed fund product is not considered an acceptable Growth Category investment unless it is on the acceptable managed fund list maintained by Invest NZ, but may be considered an acceptable Balanced Category investment under another asset class if it exists for the purpose of raising funds:

i. to place in listed equities that meet the requirements of BN7.10.1(a); or

ii. for residential, commercial and industrial property acquisition or development and they meet the requirements of BN7.10.30(i); or

iii. to place in bonds that meet the requirements of BN7.10.35(b).

To view the list of acceptable managed funds or for more information on the process of becoming an acceptable managed fund, visit our Managed funds webpage.

For more information on investments in bonds, property development, listed equities or philanthropy please visit Immigration New Zealand.

Direct investments

For an investment to be considered an acceptable direct investment:

1. The principal applicant must invest in one of the following:

listed equities that are considered an acceptable investment under Immigration New Zealand instructions (BN7.10.1 (a) as a wholesale investor); or
an equity security in an investee entity; or
another financial product (for example a convertible note, preference share, or Simple Agreement for Future Equity) that will be converted, or is convertible, into an equity security in an investee entity.

2. Invest NZ must confirm that:

the investment by the principal applicant in acceptable listed equities as a wholesale investor was determined as meeting the criteria set out in Appendix 15 by Invest NZ prior to the funds being invested; or
the investee entity meets the criteria set out in Appendix 15 as an acceptable direct investment.

3. When the funds have been invested, the principal applicant must:

have a direct ownership interest in the entity; or
have a sole beneficial interest in a trust whose trustee has a direct ownership interest in the entity; or
have appointed a nominee using the bare nominee structure, whose sole role is to hold the shares (or other securities in accordance with BN7.10.15(a)(i)) in the entity on behalf of the principal applicant.

Invest NZ will have regard to a number of factors listed in Appendix 15 including that Direct investments must demonstrate a positive economic impact for New Zealand and whether the Direct Investment meets the Objective and Principles of the Active Investor Plus visa scheme.

For more information on the criteria for acceptable direct investments please refer to Appendix 15 for information on the assessment process, or visit our Direct Investments webpage.

For more information on investments in bonds, property development, listed equities or philanthropy please visit Immigration New Zealand.

Approval Process - Direct Investments

Step 1

Download and read the 'Guidance notes on the criteria for Direct Investments.

Download guidance notes

Step 2

Complete the application form via the digital portal, Business Connect.

Apply via Business Connect

Approval process - Managed Funds