BECOME AN ACCEPTABLE AIP INVESTMENT

World-leading businesses are being built in our corner of the globe. And we can connect these businesses with international investors.

Invest New Zealand connects local businesses with international capital needed to fund their growth.
We work with businesses across different sectors and regions, to create productive, sustainable and inclusive deals that deliver opportunities for investors and for New Zealand – so the decision to invest is one you'll be proud of.
We act independently and impartially to support potential investors – with extensive private and public-sector experience, unparalleled depth of knowledge in the New Zealand market, and networks across the globe.

Our global team of dedicated investment experts connect with investors and a global investment ecosystem that actively deploy capital in order to access New Zealand residency via investment.

There are two acceptable investment categories available for New Zealand businesses or funds:

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

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

Step 1

Download and read the 'Guidance notes on the criteria for Managed Funds' available below.