Immigration New Zealand has introduced a set of amendments to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa aimed at clarifying investment source requirements, simplifying managed‑fund investments, and extending secondary‑applicant options for children of visa holders.
Key updates
- Source of funds – Borrowed money must originate from the same country or jurisdiction as the assets used to support the visa application. Applicants must also prove that the nominated funds were lawfully earned or acquired and transferred through appropriate banking channels.
- Gifts – When funds are received as a gift, evidence must show the gift is unconditional and complies with the laws of the gifting country.
- Managed‑fund investments – The previous requirement for a non‑revocable agreement has been removed; a legally binding agreement is now sufficient.
- Consistency across visas – Fund‑transfer rules for the Parent Retirement Visa and Temporary Retirement Visa have been aligned with those for the AIP Visa.
Children of investor visa holders
Children born after an investor visa is granted can be included as secondary applicants when the parent applies for:
- a Permanent Resident Visa,
- a variation of travel conditions, or
- a Second or Subsequent Resident Visa.
Eligibility criteria:
- The child is a dependent of an Active Investor Plus, Investor 1, or Investor 2 Resident Visa holder.
- The child holds a Dependent Child Resident Visa based on that relationship.
- The child has entered New Zealand using that visa.
Rationale
The changes are intended to make the investment process more transparent while preserving the integrity of New Zealand’s investor‑visa programme. By specifying where funds must come from and what documentation is required, the government aims to reduce uncertainty for prospective investors and streamline the assessment of applications.
Practical considerations for applicants
- Prepare detailed banking records that trace the origin of any borrowed or gifted funds to the same jurisdiction as the supporting assets.
- Ensure all evidence of lawful earnings complies with the relevant jurisdiction’s regulations.
- For managed‑fund investments, a standard legally binding agreement now satisfies the requirement; a non‑revocable clause is no longer needed.
- If you have children born after your visa approval, verify their dependent status and entry records to include them in future resident‑visa applications.
These amendments, announced after the first 12 months of the refreshed AIP Visa attracted 637 applications representing roughly NZD $3.7 billion in potential investment, provide clearer guidance for investors planning to relocate to New Zealand.
Source article: migrationassociates.com
