New Zealand Golden Visa Process 2026

New Zealand Golden Visa offers an exciting pathway for skilled professionals and investors to live, work, and build a future in New Zealand. Jobs under this visa are typically physical or professional, depending on your field, with salaries ranging widely from NZD 50,000 to NZD 120,000 per year, reflecting experience, skills, and industry.

While many positions prefer candidates with relevant experience or qualifications, the visa also opens opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to establish businesses. This program provides a friendly, supportive environment for individuals and families looking to enjoy New Zealand’s high quality of life while pursuing rewarding work, professional growth, and long-term residency.

What is the New Zealand Golden Visa?

Foreign investors can apply for a New Zealand Golden Visa, a type of residence visa that lets them become permanent residents of the country by putting a lot of money into it. There are different kinds of loans in the program, but the two main ones are Investor 1 and Investor 2. Both have high financial requirements, but they are different in terms of the amount of money you need to spend, your eligibility, your age limit, and where you need to live. A lot of investors also like the Golden Visa because it lets them settle down, get permanent residency or even citizenship, and help New Zealand’s economy grow at the same time.

New Zealand Golden Visa Eligibility:

The following items are generally needed to fill out an application, but they depend on the type of investment:

Investor 1 Category:

• At least NZD10 million must be invested over three years.
• You can be of any age or language.
• The applicants should have either business knowledge or a good track record of investments.
• People need to meet their health and personality goals.

Investor 2 Category:

• A minimum of three million New Zealand dollars over four years.
• People who want to apply must be younger than 65 years old.
• To prove settlement and blending, you also need to show that you can speak and write English well.
• All prospects must have worked in business for at least three years.
• People have to meet their health and moral needs.

General Eligibility Requirements:

• Should be able to spend and send money to New Zealand without permission.
• Should show that the source of the cash is trustworthy.
• They should get a police clearance and a medical test.
• Should plan to stay in New Zealand for as long as they need to based on the type of business.

Required Documents:

While applying for a visa, applicants should make sure they have a number of important papers ready to hand in. Some of these are:

• A visa application form that is fully filled out.
• A valid passport that isn’t more than six months old.
• New pictures the size of a passport.
• Money Flow Reports Proof that investment funds own the assets they claim to own.
• Documentation of business and investment knowledge.
• Police clearance papers from every country the candidate has lived in for more than a year.
• Health certificates from licensed medical inspectors that show you are in good health.
• The scores of the English language test (Investor 2 group).
• Curriculum resume that focuses on training and running well, business success.
• Proof of following anti-money laundering tips.
• Show proof that you plan to live in New Zealand at the time of support.
• Proof that you paid the application fees.

Step By Step Application for New Zealand Golden Visa Process

To get the visa, do what’s written below.

Step 1. Identify the Type of Investment

Deciding whether to be an Investor 1 or Investor 2 depends on their available capital, age, work experience, and where they plan to live. Now is the time to look at your long-term goals and your ability to make money.

Step 2: Look For Requirements

Check the details of the requirements for being able to make the chosen type of investment. Before you start the application, make sure you are the right age, have the right work and financial experience, speak the right language, are healthy, and have a good character.

Step 3: Place the necessary documents

Get ready with all the paperwork that the New Zealand immigration officials will need, such as proof of money, business experience, a health and character certificate, a copy of your passport, and any other paperwork they may ask for. Putting papers in the right order can help keep processing from taking too long.

Step 4: Submit EOI

Those who want to be in the Investor 2 group (investors) should send an Expression of Interest that includes information about their investment plans, business experience, points score, and plans to live in New Zealand. Based on the points, the EOIs are judged and ranked, and only the top-ranked ones are asked to apply.

Step 5: Invitation to apply accepted

If your EOI or direct application meets the standards, you will be sent an official invitation to make a full visa application. This step proves that the person is qualified to continue with the official application process.

Step 6: Visa Application

Turn in your completed visa application along with proof of investment and the required fees. To avoid swamping or going backwards, make sure you use the right and full documents.

Step 7: Finish Health and Character Tests

Get medical tests done by licensed doctors and turn in your police clearance documents. To get a visa, you have to meet health and character standards.

Step 8: Investment Transfer

Move the required investment funds to New Zealand in a way that follows the rules of the type of investment you want to make. This could mean putting money in banks that are approved, buying government bonds, or putting money into companies that are approved.

Step 9: Visa Processing

The immigration officers look over your application, papers, and investment to make sure they are correct. The process can take months, depending on how hard it is to fill out the application and prove that you have the money.

Step 10: Receive Visa Approval

You will be notified when your visa has been granted once it has been approved. Investor 1 applicants can get permanent residency right away, but Investor 2 candidates can’t get permanent status until they meet their residency requirements.

Step 11: Move and Start Living

If you want to invest, you need to move to New Zealand and meet the minimum residency standards. This can include spending a certain number of days in the country each year, as required by the visa.

Check More: General Worker Jobs in New Zealand 2025 – Hiring Now

Duration and Time of Processing:

• Type 1 investors: The process takes between 6 and 12 months. After getting permission, residency may be given as long as the payment is made.
• Investor 2 Category: It could take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to finish. It is given temporary residency, which can be turned into permanent residency after investing for at least four years and meeting other residency requirements.

New Zealand Golden Visa has benefits:

• Fast-Track Residency Pathway: Investors can obtain residency more quickly compared to standard visa programs, making settlement easier and faster.
• Access to High-Quality Healthcare: Golden Visa holders benefit from New Zealand’s world-class public healthcare system and medical services.
• Top-Tier Education Opportunities: Families enjoy access to excellent schools, universities, and educational support services for children.
• Business & Investment Growth: This visa allows individuals to invest in high-growth sectors, contributing to long-term financial stability and business expansion.
• Safe & Peaceful Living Environment: New Zealand is known for its low crime rate, political stability, and clean natural environment, offering a high quality of life.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency & Citizenship: Long-term stay can lead to PR and eventually citizenship for eligible applicants.
• Family Inclusion Options: The visa allows spouses and dependent children to be included, ensuring the entire family can benefit from residency and services.
• Global Mobility & Travel Freedom: Holding New Zealand residency enables easier international travel, especially within countries that maintain friendly travel agreements.

Common Visa Problems:

• Meeting Investment Requirements: It is important to make sure that the money you need is legally gotten and can be invested in a way that doesn’t break immigration rules.
• Documentation that is hard to understand: collecting and checking papers can be hard and take a lot of time.
• Residency Requirements: Investors must have a real presence in New Zealand at least once, which is hard for investors from other countries.
• Language Proficiency: Investors who speak a language well Second, candidates should be able to fit in and speak English well enough.
• Verification Delays: Sometimes, checks with the cops and the medical field can make the processing time longer than planned.

Common Visa Rejections:

• Application forms that are missing or wrong.
• Not making enough investments or following the law when moving money.
• Not enough proof of money or work experience.
• Not being able to do well on health or character tests.
• Not meeting the EOI standards because of age, language, or not following the rules.
• The lying or making up of facts or tax reports.

Conclusion:

The New Zealand Golden Visa offers a strong pathway for investors and families seeking stability, security, and long-term residency in one of the world’s safest and most beautiful countries. With access to excellent education, healthcare, and investment opportunities, this visa program is designed to support personal and financial growth. Whether you aim to build a business, secure your family’s future, or enjoy a peaceful lifestyle, the Golden Visa is a valuable gateway to a prosperous life in New Zealand.

Frequently Asked Questions: