New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa is a premier pathway for high-net-worth individuals and experienced investors seeking New Zealand residency by investment. As of April 1, 2025, the Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP) offers two distinct investment categories: Growth and Balanced. Each category is tailored to different investor profiles, risk appetites, and residency goals.
If you’re considering New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa, understanding the differences between Growth vs Balanced Active Investor Plus is crucial for choosing the right path for your investment and migration journey.
At a Glance: Growth Category vs. Balanced Category
| Feature | Growth Category | Balanced Category |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | NZ$5 million | NZ$10 million |
| Investment Term | 3 years | 5 years |
| Residency Requirement | 21 days over 3 year | 105 days over 5 years (can be reduced) |
| Acceptable Investments | NZTE-approved managed funds and direct investments (growth-oriented) | Bonds, listed equities, property development, philanthropy, plus all Growth options |
| Risk Profile | Higher risk, higher potential return | Moderate to lower risk, diversified |
| Residency Reduction | Not available | Yes, with additional investment in Growth-type assets (down to 63 days) |
| Investment Approval | NZTE (for all investments) | INZ (for bonds, equities, philanthropy, property), NZTE (for Growth-type investments) |
| Pathway to PR | After 3 years, if requirements met | After 5 years, if requirements met |
1. Minimum Investment and Term
Growth Category:
- NZ$5 million minimum investment
- 3-year investment period
Balanced Category:
- NZ$10 million minimum investment
- 5-year investment period
Takeaway: Growth has a lower entry threshold and shorter commitment; Balanced requires more capital but offers a longer, more flexible investment horizon.
2. Acceptable Investment Options
Growth Category:
- NZTE-approved managed funds (focused on New Zealand growth businesses: venture capital, private equity, private credit)
- Direct investments in NZTE-approved investment in New Zealand businesses (startups, expansion capital)
Balanced Category:
- Bonds: NZ government, local government, or corporate bonds (NZDX)
- Listed equities: Shares in NZX-listed companies
- Property development: New residential projects (increasing housing stock) or value-adding commercial/industrial developments
- Philanthropy: Donations to registered NZ charities (with donee status)
- Growth-type investments: Managed funds and direct investments as per the Growth category
Takeaway: Growth is focused on direct, high-impact business investment; Balanced offers a broader, more diversified range of options, including lower-risk and philanthropic investments.
3. Residency Requirement
Growth Category:
- 21 days in New Zealand over 3 years
Balanced Category:
- 105 days in New Zealand over 5 years
- Reduction available: For every additional NZ$1 million invested in Growth-type assets above NZ$10 million, the residency requirement drops by 14 days (down to a minimum of 63 days with a NZ$13 million investment).
Takeaway: Growth offers the lowest residency requirement; Balanced is more flexible for those willing to invest more in high-growth assets.
4. Risk and Return Profile
Growth Category:
- Higher risk, higher return potential
- Focused on early-stage and growth businesses, which can be volatile but offer significant upside
Balanced Category:
- Moderate to lower risk, moderate return
- Diversification across bonds, equities, property, and philanthropy helps manage risk and smooth returns
Takeaway: Choose Growth if you’re comfortable with higher risk for greater impact; choose Balanced for stability and diversification.
5. Investment Approval and Oversight
Growth Category:
- All investments must be approved by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE)
Balanced Category:
- Bonds, equities, philanthropy, and property investments are approved by Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
- Growth-type investments within the Balanced portfolio are still subject to NZTE approval
Read more: Balanced Category Property Investment Options Under New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa 2025
6. Who Should Choose Each Category?
Growth Category is ideal for:
- Investors with a lower capital threshold
- Those seeking direct involvement in New Zealand’s business growth
- Applicants wanting a shorter path to residency with minimal time in country
Balanced Category is ideal for:
- Investors with more capital to deploy
- Those seeking a diversified, lower-risk portfolio
- Applicants wanting flexibility in asset selection, including property and philanthropy
- Families or individuals who prefer a longer-term, stable investment
Conclusion: Which Category is Right for You?
- Choose Growth if you want a lower entry point, are comfortable with higher risk, and want to directly support New Zealand’s business sector with a shorter residency requirement.
- Choose Balanced if you have more capital, prefer a diversified investment approach, value lower risk, and want the flexibility to include property, bonds, and philanthropy in your portfolio.
Both categories offer a pathway to permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship in one of the world’s most desirable countries. Your choice should reflect your investment goals, risk profile, and lifestyle preferences.
Immigration Chambers offers expert guidance for investors exploring New Zealand investor visa categories, with a strong focus on the Active Investor Plus Visa. Whether you’re comparing options through an AIP visa comparison, navigating the 2025 investor visa changes, or wondering how property investment visa NZ options fit into the new framework, our team is here to help.
Our Immigration Adviser in New Zealand provides personalised support, helping you understand qualifying investments, prepare documentation, and meet eligibility criteria, ensuring your journey toward residency is smooth, strategic, and fully compliant with New Zealand immigration law.
For the latest policy details and official guidance, always refer to Immigration New Zealand and consult a licensed immigration advisor.