Status: In force as at August 2026.
Immigration New Zealand has updated the Active Investor Plus visa framework to refine evidentiary standards for investment funds and secondary applicant policies. These adjustments follow the first 12 months of the visa, which recorded 637 applications and $3.7 billion in potential investment.
What this means in practice
The operational updates establish clearer evidentiary standards across key asset categories. Borrowed funds must now originate directly from the same country or jurisdiction as the underlying assets supporting the application. Nominated investment funds require proof of lawful acquisition and transfer through recognized banking channels, while gifted funds must be supported by evidence of an unconditional gift complying with relevant local laws. Additionally, managed fund investments now only require a legally binding agreement rather than a non-revocable commitment, and transfer rules are aligned with retirement visa standards. Furthermore, children born after an investor visa is approved can now be included as secondary applicants in permanent residence and travel variation applications.
Who should check this
This update is relevant for prospective and current Active Investor Plus visa applicants, investors utilizing borrowed, gifted, or managed funds, and families planning for children born following visa approval.
Practical checklist
- Verify that borrowed investment funds originate from the exact same jurisdiction as your supporting assets.
- Gather comprehensive documentation proving the lawful acquisition and bank-to-bank transfer of nominated funds.
- Obtain formal evidence confirming that gifted investment funds are unconditional and compliant with local legislation.
- Review managed fund agreements to ensure they meet the updated legally binding contract requirement.
Important limits or current position
These policy adjustments apply to Active Investor Plus applications and do not alter baseline investment thresholds or broader visa criteria.
This article is general information, not individual immigration advice.
Not sure whether this update affects your plan? Start your NZ visa assessment
Source note: Based on the official Immigration New Zealand announcement published on 13 August 2026 [1]. Article status: In force.
[1] Immigration New Zealand. (2026, August 13). Active Investor Plus improvements provide greater certainty for investors. Open source on immigration.govt.nz ↗