Starting June 1, 2026, New Zealand is expanding the terms of the Active Investor Plus Visa program, often referred to as the New Zealand “golden visa.” Now, a portion of the required investment can be allocated to charitable donations, which should make the program more flexible and attractive to wealthy foreigners.
According to Reuters, investors in the Growth category will be able to allocate up to 20% of the minimum investment—that is, up to NZD1 million of the required NZD5 million—to charitable causes. The remainder must be invested in assets with higher growth potential. The changes take effect on June 1.
Officially, the Active Investor Plus Visa program grants foreign investors the right to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely. To participate, applicants must invest a minimum of NZD5 million in the Growth category or NZD10 million in the Balanced category. According to Immigration New Zealand, 80% of applications for preliminary approval are processed in approximately 3.5 months.
The new charitable option is expected to expand the pool of potential program participants. New Zealand authorities hope that investors will not only inject capital into the economy but also support social, educational, medical, environmental, and community projects.
The rule update comes after a sharp surge in interest in the New Zealand investor visa. The Guardian reported that following the program’s reform in April 2025, the number of applications rose significantly: 308 applications were submitted over a few months, representing about 1,000 people, whereas before the changes, the program had attracted only 116 applications over two and a half years.
Investors from the U.S., China, and Hong Kong led the way in terms of the number of applicants. According to The Guardian, among the first 308 applications after the reform, there were 129 from the U.S., 45 from China, and 38 from Hong Kong. Investors from Germany, Singapore, and the U.K. also showed interest in the program.
Later, interest from American investors continued to grow. According to data from Immigration New Zealand cited by The Guardian, the new scheme has already attracted 573 applications representing 1,833 individuals. This confirms that the US has become the main source of demand for the New Zealand “golden visa.”
According to estimates by specialized consultants, demand also remains high from China and Hong Kong. GoldenVisas.com reported that investors from the U.S. lead the pack among applicants for the Active Investor Plus Visa, followed by China and Hong Kong, with the program attracting applicants from more than 30 countries in total.
For New Zealand, the program serves as a tool to attract long-term capital into the economy. Unlike some European “golden visas,” which were closely tied to real estate purchases, the New Zealand model emphasizes active investments, business, funds, securities, and now—to some extent—charity.
For investors, New Zealand is attractive due to its combination of political stability, quality of life, an English-speaking environment, a strong legal system, and the possibility of long-term residency for the family. At the same time, the high entry threshold means that the program is primarily aimed at high-net-worth applicants, entrepreneurs, and globally mobile families.
Key takeaway: New Zealand is not simply relaxing the “golden visa” rules but is attempting to modernize the program—with an emphasis on active investment and public benefit. Investors from the U.S., China, and Hong Kong remain the main drivers of demand, and the addition of charitable donations may attract even more applicants who wish to combine relocation, investment, and social contribution.
