---
title: "New Zealand Active Investor Plus · Balanced: NZD 10M+ needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aip-balanced/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-10
---

New Zealand · Investing

# New Zealand Active Investor Plus · Balanced

**Investment needed:** NZD 10M+ ≈ $5.6M

Active Investor Plus Visa: Balanced category

First checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Investment needed:** NZD 10M+ ≈ $5.6M (An investment of at least NZD 10,000,000 (≈ $5,590,000) · Balanced category: transfer and invest within 6 months of approval in principle. A fee of NZD 27,470 (≈ $15,400) · Visa cost shown as from NZD 27,470.)
- **Who can apply:** Any passport
- **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Transitional tax resident exemption for most foreign-source income: New migrants and returning New Zealanders who qualify get roughly four years of exemption on most foreign-source income while they are New Zealand tax residents.)

## Key facts

Active Investor Plus · Balanced is an investing route for New Zealand. Applicants need an investment of NZD 10M+ ≈ $5.6M. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** NZD 10M+ ≈ $5.6M
- **Government fees:** ~NZD 27k ≈ $15k

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: government fee NZD 27k ≈ $15k; investment NZD 10M+ ≈ $5.6M. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: ~NZD 27k ≈ $15k**

- NZD 27,470 (≈ $15,400) Visa cost shown as from NZD 27,470 (≈ $15,400).

**Invested and held: NZD 10M+ ≈ $5.6M**

- NZD 10,000,000 (≈ $5,590,000) Balanced category: transfer and invest within 6 months of approval in principle.

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

You can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after keeping your funds invested for the 60-month investment period and meeting all conditions.

[Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa/)

**Citizenship: After 5 years as a permanent resident**

Citizenship by grant needs 5 years living in New Zealand as a resident, with at least 240 days in New Zealand in each 12-month period and 1,350 days across the 5 years. The minimum days required by this visa are lower than the citizenship presence test.

[New Zealand Government](https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/requirements-for-nz-citizenship/presence-requirements/) [Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa/)

**Presence rules: At least 105 days**

You must spend at least 105 days in New Zealand as a resident visa holder during the 60-month investment period; the days fall with extra Growth-category investment (for example 91 days at NZD 11 million (≈ $6,150,000)).

[Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa/)

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is a fit and proper person with good health and character.

#### What you must show

- The Balanced category needs NZD 10,000,000 (≈ $5,590,000) transferred to New Zealand and invested within 6 months of approval in principle.
- The funds were acquired lawfully.
- The visa cost is shown as from NZD 27,470 (≈ $15,400).

#### After you arrive

- Permanent residence can be applied for after 5 years of keeping the funds invested.

## What happens at day 183

How New Zealand decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in any 12-month period** Tax residence begins by more than 183 days in New Zealand or a permanent place of abode
- **Foreign-source income:** **New-resident relief (4 years)** New migrants and returning New Zealanders who qualify get roughly four years of exemption on most foreign-source income while they are New Zealand tax residents.
- **Special regime:** **Transitional tax resident exemption** · Tax relief

[All tax rules for New Zealand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

Indefinite-stay visa for investors who place at least NZD 10 million (≈ $5,590,000) in New Zealand investments including listed equities, bonds and property developments; permanent residence can be applied for after 5 years. (source 1)

#### What you must show and pay

- An investment of at least NZD 10,000,000 (≈ $5,590,000) · Balanced category: transfer and invest within 6 months of approval in principle. (source 1)
- A fee of NZD 27,470 (≈ $15,400) · Visa cost shown as from NZD 27,470 (≈ $15,400). (source 1)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is a fit and proper person with good health and character. (source 1)
- The Balanced category needs NZD 10,000,000 (≈ $5,590,000) transferred to New Zealand and invested within 6 months of approval in principle. (source 1)
- The funds were acquired lawfully. (source 1)
- The visa cost is shown as from NZD 27,470 (≈ $15,400). (source 1)
- Permanent residence can be applied for after 5 years of keeping the funds invested. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Stay is indefinite on this visa; 6 months to transfer and invest after approval in principle.

#### Work

Live, work and study in New Zealand.

#### Family

Partner and dependent children aged 24 and younger can be included; the partner applies for a visitor visa and children for student visas to enter first.

Checked 2026-10-10

## Official sources

1. [Active Investor Plus Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa/) · Immigration New Zealand · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Presence in NZ requirements (citizenship by grant)](https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/requirements-for-nz-citizenship/presence-requirements/) · New Zealand Government (govt.nz, Department of Internal Affairs) · checked 2026-10-11

## Active Investor Plus · Balanced and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Active Investor Plus · Balanced | Needs an investment of NZD 10M+ ≈ $5.6M | – | – |
| [Active Investor Plus · Growth](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aip-growth/) | Needs an investment of NZD 5M+ ≈ $2.8M | – | – |
| [LTR · Wealthy Global Citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/ltr-wealthy-global-citizen/) Thailand | Needs an investment of $500k+ | 5 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [Golden Visa · Portfolio $350k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e28c-golden-capital-market-investor/) Indonesia | Needs an investment from $350k | 5 yr, renewable | – |
| [Golden · AED 2M deposit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-investor-public-investment/) United Arab Emirates | Needs an investment of AED 2M+ ≈ $545k | 10 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Active Investor Plus · Balanced?

An investment of at least NZD 10,000,000 (≈ $5,590,000). Balanced category: transfer and invest within 6 months of approval in principle. A fee of NZD 27,470 (≈ $15,400). Visa cost shown as from NZD 27,470 (≈ $15,400).

### How long can I stay on the Active Investor Plus · Balanced?

Stay is indefinite on this visa; 6 months to transfer and invest after approval in principle.

### Can I work on the Active Investor Plus · Balanced?

Live, work and study in New Zealand.

### Can I bring my family on the Active Investor Plus · Balanced?

Partner and dependent children aged 24 and younger can be included; the partner applies for a visitor visa and children for student visas to enter first.

### Does the Active Investor Plus · Balanced lead to permanent residence in New Zealand?

Time on the Active Investor Plus · Balanced counts toward permanent residence in New Zealand, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Active Investor Plus · Balanced counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 5 years as a permanent resident.

### Is there a tax break for Active Investor Plus · Balanced holders in New Zealand?

Transitional tax resident exemption for most foreign-source income: New migrants and returning New Zealanders who qualify get roughly four years of exemption on most foreign-source income while they are New Zealand tax residents. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.

## Tax

Special regime

### [Transitional tax resident exemption for most foreign-source income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/#tax-nz-transitional-resident-foreign-income)

Tax relief

Foreign-source income: New-resident relief (4 years)

**Details**

- On: Most foreign-source income

New migrants and returning New Zealanders who qualify get roughly four years of exemption on most foreign-source income while they are New Zealand tax residents.

#### Taxed on

Most foreign-source income; overseas employment and personal services income is not exempt.

#### Who it applies to

- Period begins on first day of New Zealand tax residence and ends four years after end of month of qualification, subject to earlier opt-out/termination events.
- The exemption can be used only once.
- The person was not a New Zealand tax resident at any time in the 10 years before qualifying.

#### Exclusions

- Overseas employment income and income from personal services is not exempt.
- Applying for Working for Families, opting out, reporting covered income, or confirming NZ tax to a foreign jurisdiction on covered income can terminate the exemption.
- Foreign-super withdrawals have their own rule.

#### Days in the country

- More than 183 days in any 12-month period · Tax residence begins by more than 183 days in New Zealand or a permanent place of abode

#### Tax residence

NZ tax residence can begin through more than 183 days in any 12-month period or permanent place of abode; this transitional exemption can apply during tax residence. After the exemption ends, worldwide income rules apply.

#### Visas

No particular visa is required by the tax rule; immigration and tax residence are distinct.

#### Other taxes

Tax exemption does not waive GST, PAYE on New Zealand work, KiwiSaver or other applicable levies; foreign employment/services carveout means remote work must be analyzed carefully.

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

[Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/)

## More in New Zealand

[Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/working-holiday/) [Visitor visa + remote work](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/visitor-remote-work/) [Business Investor work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/business-investor-work/) [Accredited Employer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aewv/) [Skilled Migrant Category](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/smc-resident/) [Straight to Residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/straight-to-residence/) [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/fee-paying-student/) [Post-study work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/post-study-work/)

## Investment visas elsewhere

[🇸🇬 Global Investor Programme](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/global-investor-programme/) [🇲🇾 Premium Visa (PVIP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/pvip/) [🇻🇳 Investor visa ĐT1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/vietnam/investor-dt1/) [🇰🇷 D-8-1 Business Investment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/d8-1-corporate-investment/) [🇹🇼 Plum Blossom · Business](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/taiwan/aprc-investor-business/) [🇭🇰 New CIES · HK$30M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/new-cies/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-10 against 2 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Active Investor Plus Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/active-investor-plus-visa/) · Immigration New Zealand · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Presence in NZ requirements (citizenship by grant)](https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/requirements-for-nz-citizenship/presence-requirements/) · New Zealand Government (govt.nz, Department of Internal Affairs) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.
