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Housing

New Zealand Eases Restrictions on Foreign Real Estate Investment

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Foreigners with a New Zealand investor residence visa are now permitted to buy a house in the country, with the new rule aimed at reviving the sluggish economy. However, the permission is limited to those holding an Active Investor Plus Visa and is restricted to purchasing or building a single home worth at least $5 million. The move is part of the Government's efforts to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new rule allows overseas-based investors with an Active Investor Plus Visa to buy a house in New Zealand, with a minimum value of $5 million.
  • The Active Investor Plus Visa is a residency visa that allows foreigners to live, work, and invest in New Zealand, with two investment categories: Growth and Balanced.
  • Individuals who received residence visas under the previous Investor 1 & 2 visas are also eligible to buy a house in New Zealand under the new rule.
  • There are two investment categories under the Active Investor Plus Visa: Growth, which requires a minimum commitment of NZD $5 million over three years, and Balanced, which requires a minimum commitment of NZD $10 million over five years.
  • New Zealand has also introduced a new Business Investor Visa, offering a pathway to residency through investment in an existing business, with a minimum capital requirement of NZD $1 million for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway.
  • Applicants can purchase a business outright or acquire at least 25% of the business, provided they meet the minimum investment thresholds.

Statistics:

  • NZD $5 million: the minimum value of the house that can be bought or built under the new rule.
  • 1%: the percentage of New Zealand houses that the $5 million minimum value represents, according to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
  • 3 years: the duration for which applicants must keep their funds in New Zealand to apply for permanent residence under the Growth category.
  • 5 years: the duration for which applicants must keep their funds in New Zealand to apply for permanent residence under the Balanced category.
  • NZD $5 million: the minimum commitment required under the Growth category of the Active Investor Plus Visa.
  • NZD $10 million: the minimum commitment required under the Balanced category of the Active Investor Plus Visa.
  • NZD $1 million: the minimum capital required for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway under the new Business Investor Visa.
  • NZD $2 million: the minimum capital required for a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway under the new Business Investor Visa.

Sources:

  • Global Data Point (2025). (Direct reference and link to article).

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