DIRECT INVESTMENTS

The Immigration instructions for the AIP visa have been amended to strengthen how direct investment opportunities are assessed. Under the new instructions, direct investment applications must be able to demonstrate receipt of capital or genuine investor interest from: 

an acceptable managed fund; and/or 

Please see our updated criteria here.

These updates are designed to ensure the AIP programme continues to attract investors who are actively engaged in New Zealand’s investment ecosystem — helping to build globally successful businesses and contribute meaningfully to the economy. 

The updated instructions are effective from 25 October 2025 (“effective date”). 

Applications already in progress before this date will continue to be assessed under the previous settings, and outcomes will be communicated directly to applicants. 

 Applications awaiting additional information will need to provide this as soon as possible to continue being assessed under the old criteria. If we don’t receive any new information by end November 2025 then these applicants will need to re-submit and be assessed against the new criteria. 

The Live Deals platform will now focus exclusively on approved managed funds with direct investments no longer being shown on the platform. Live deals access will no longer be an option for direct investments. 

Yes — direct investments remain eligible where they meet the updated AIP eligibility criteria. However, the instructions now provide further criteria on what qualifies as a direct investment. 

Previously approved investments remain valid under the terms they were approved on, however, extension requests submitted must meet the new criteria.   

We encourage you to consider engaging with funds or with Angel investors as potential partners for your capital raise. 

The committee meets on monthly intervals.

Invest NZ is unable to provide specific timeframes for assessment and communication back to applicants, however we aim to communicate a decision to applicants within 2-4 weeks of the application being received by Invest NZ (provided no further information has been requested by us). This may vary depending on the volume and complexity of applications received at any given time.  

No. Invest NZ’s Committee will follow the same process for assessing applications for direct investment under the new criteria

For all AIP-related questions or product eligibility clarification, please contact the AIP inbox - aipacceptableinvestments@investnz.govt.nz. Please note Invest NZ cannot pre-screen applications and may only provide guidance to the criteria.