&w=3840&q=100)
New Zealand golden visa: 189 foreign investors apply in just 3 months
New Zealand has received nearly 200 golden visa applications in just over 10 weeks, following a revamp of its investor migration scheme on April 1, 2025.
According to Immigration New Zealand, 189 applications have come in under the new Active Investor Plus visa rules, which were updated to attract experienced investors and global capital.
The country's economic growth minister, Nicola Willis, said this was a sharp rise compared to the 116 applications received over more than two and a half years under the previous version of the scheme.
'Investor migrants are clearly attracted to New Zealand's growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy. In a world where countries compete for dollars and talent, it's great to see New Zealand's growth prospects being recognised,' said Willis.
Stuart Nash, a former Labour immigration minister who now heads Nash Kelly Global, said global politics — particularly in the United States — had pushed demand higher.
'It's the main driver,' said Nash. 'Many of the people applying are of a different political persuasion to President Trump.'
He said concerns around Donald Trump's foreign policy and security decisions were prompting wealthy Americans to look elsewhere. 'Putin is on the doorstep and no one is 100 per cent sure what Trump will do on Nato,' he said. 'That kind of uncertainty means people are looking to New Zealand.'
Nash added that interest was also increasing because other countries had pulled back their golden visa schemes. Portugal and Ireland have both moved to limit their investor programmes, while in April the European Court of Justice ruled that Malta's citizenship-by-investment scheme was in breach of EU law.
New investment categories and timelines
Under the new rules introduced on April 1, 2025, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment created two simplified investor pathways:
> Growth category: Minimum investment of NZD $5 million over 3 years
> Balanced category: NZD $10 million over 5 years
According to RNZ, 100 applications had been approved in principle as of June 23. Of those, seven investors had already transferred their funds and received visas.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the early uptake had exceeded her expectations.
'As of this week we're almost at 190 after 10 weeks, and I think that shows you the level of interest from overseas, in lots of different markets we haven't seen before,' said Stanford.
She noted that most applications were from nationals of the United States, Hong Kong, China and Germany. Applicants have six months to transfer their funds into New Zealand and begin investing.
'Investment Boost delivers the confidence to put that capital to work, and to ensure that people are making investments that will pay off in the long run,' said Stanford.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Iran Behind Hit On Syria's Ahmad Al-Sharaa? Shocking Details Out On Assassination Plot
Iran's FM Issues Chilling Warning After Trump 'Disrespects' Khamenei | 'If You Want Nuclear Deal…' Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi blasts US President Donald Trump's "disrespectful" comments about Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning him to "watch his tone" if a nuclear deal is desired. This comes after Trump claimed to have "saved" Khamenei and mocked Iran for claiming "victory" in the war with Israel. Watch our video to know more. 6.0K views | 7 hours ago
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Weekend Senate session focuses on contentious GOP tax cuts and budget reductions
Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks read more The Senate is expected to grind through a rare weekend session as Republicans race to pass President Donald Trump's package of tax breaks and spending cuts by his July Fourth deadline. Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 940-page bill was released shortly before midnight Friday. Senators were expected to take a procedural vote Saturday to begin debate on the legislation, but the timing was uncertain and there is a long path ahead, with at least 10 hours of debate time and an all-night voting session on countless amendments. Senate passage could be days away, and the bill would need to return to the House for a final round of votes before it could reach the White House. 'It's evolving,' said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., as he prepared to close up the chamber late Friday. The weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump's party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan. Trump is pushing Congress to wrap it up, even as he sometimes gives mixed signals, allowing for more time. At recent events at the White House, including Friday, Trump has admonished the 'grandstanders' among GOP holdouts to fall in line. 'We can get it done,' Trump said in a social media post. 'It will be a wonderful Celebration for our Country.' The legislation is an ambitious but complicated series of GOP priorities. At its core, it would make permanent many of the tax breaks from Trump's first term that would otherwise expire by year's end if Congress fails to act, resulting in a potential tax increase on Americans. The bill would add new breaks, including no taxes on tips, and commit $350 billion to national security, including for Trump's mass deportation agenda. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But the spending cuts that Republicans are relying on to offset the lost tax revenues are causing dissent within the GOP ranks. Some lawmakers say the cuts go too far, particularly for people receiving health care through Medicaid. Meanwhile, conservatives, worried about the nation's debt, are pushing for steeper cuts. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he is concerned about the fundamentals of the package and will not support the procedural motion to begin debate. 'I'm voting no on the motion to proceed,' he said. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., pushing for deeper cuts, said he needed to see the final legislative text. The release of that draft had been delayed as the Senate parliamentarian reviewed the bill to ensure it complied with the chamber's strict 'Byrd Rule,' named for the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, It largely bars policy matters from inclusion in budget bills unless a provision can get 60 votes to overcome objections. That would be a tall order in a Senate with a 53-47 GOP edge and Democrats unified against Trump's bill. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Republicans suffered a series of setbacks after several proposals were determined to be out of compliance by the chief arbiter of the Senate's rules. One plan would have shifted some food stamp costs from the federal government to the states; a second would have gutted the funding structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. But over the past days, Republicans have quickly revised those proposals and reinstated them. The final text includes a proposal for cuts to a Medicaid provider tax that had run into parliamentary objections and opposition from several senators worried about the fate of rural hospitals. The new version extends the start date for those cuts and establishes a $25 billion fund to aid rural hospitals and providers. Most states impose the provider tax as a way to boost federal Medicaid reimbursements. Some Republicans argue that is a scam and should be abolished. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said that under the House-passed version of the bill, some 10.9 million more people would go without health care and at least 3 million fewer would qualify for food aid. The CBO has not yet publicly assessed the Senate draft, which proposes steeper reductions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Top income-earners would see about a $12,000 tax cut under the House bill, while the poorest Americans would face a $1,600 tax increase, the CBO said. One unresolved issue remains the so-called SALT provision, a deduction for state and local taxes that has been a top priority of lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states. The cap is now $10,000. The White House and House Republicans had narrowed in on a plan for a $40,000 cap, but for five years instead of 10. Republican senators says that's too generous. At least one House GOP holdout, Rep. Nick LaLota of New York, said he cannot support the compromise. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Republicans are rushing to finish the bill before the public fully knows what's in it. 'There's no good reason for Republicans to chase a silly deadline,' Schumer said. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who sent his colleagues home for the weekend with plans to be on call to return to Washington, said they are 'very close' to finishing up. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We would still like to meet that July Fourth, self-imposed deadline,' said Johnson, R-La. With the narrow Republicans majorities in the House and Senate, leaders need almost every lawmaker on board to ensure passage. Johnson and Thune have stayed close to the White House, relying on Trump to pressure holdout lawmakers.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Iran moves women prisoners to hellhole farm jail after airstrike hits notorious Evin prison
After an Israeli airstrike damaged Iran's infamous Evin prison, authorities moved dozens of female inmates to Qarchak, a detention center described by prisoners and rights groups as one of the worst places to be locked up in the country, as per a report. Iran Shifts Women Prisoners to Qarchak After Evin Airstrike The missiles struck Evin on Monday morning, just one day before Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire, ending their 12-day conflict, as reported by The Telegraph. The prison, long associated with political repression, houses activists, dissidents, and others jailed for challenging the regime, according to the report. Iran's judiciary claimed that the transfers were conducted to 'respect prisoners' rights' and 'provide better services," as quoted in The Telegraph report. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later! [Video] getfittoday Undo ALSO READ: No holding, no swiping: California's tough no touch phone law for drivers, simplified Women Sent to Former Livestock Facility Following the strike, Iranian guards began transferring prisoners from the damaged facility, as per the report. Women were handcuffed and sent to Qarchak, a former livestock facility located 40 miles south of Tehran, according to The Telegraph report. The prison is already under US sanctions for its record of human rights violations, including torture and extrajudicial killings, as reported by The Telegraph. Live Events ALSO READ: Trump claims he spared Khamenei from an ugly death — now wants a thank you from Iran Prisoner Speaks Out From Inside Qarchak One of the women who was moved, Sayeh Seydal, is serving a three-year sentence for social media posts, which were considered unacceptable to the Iranian regime, and had been imprisoned at Evin since October 2024, managed to record a message, smuggled out of the country, describing the terrifying and dire conditions of Qarchak, according to the report. She said, 'The American and Israeli bombing didn't kill us, but the Islamic Republic has brought us to a place where it's practically killing us,' adding, 'They've brought us to a place where humans don't live. It's a gradual death,' as quoted by The Telegraph. Seydal said that she and other women were crammed into a quarantine ward with no privacy or sanitation, calling it "a real hellhole,' according to the report. She shared that, 'The toilets are like outdoor latrines. The showers? Like outdoor showers. The stench of filth has taken over everywhere. Even the water – the water you splash on your face – is salty. The food? It absolutely cannot be eaten. A terrible situation," as quoted in the report. Seydal pointed out that 'The Islamic Republic has brought us to a place where it seems they want to get revenge for Israel and America and just kill us off easily,' quoted The Telegraph. No Windows, No Clean Water, No Dignity Human rights groups have also highlighted the horrible condition of Qarchak, as it does not follow the prison standards, like there is no proper sewage system or access to clean water, as per the report. There are also no windows, and when the iron gates to outdoor areas close at 5pm, inmates stare at walls with only two small holes, 'the size of lentils,' for glimpses of the sky, as reported by The Telegraph. Medical Care is Almost Nonexistent Activists have also revealed that the detention centre is infested with cockroaches, rats, salamanders, lizards, water bugs and venomous tarantulas, according to the report. Qarchak's medical care is also very limited, as just five prisoners per ward are allowed daily medical visits, and while prison authorities claim budget constraints prevent the provision of essential medications, they freely distribute sleeping pills and tranquillisers to keep prisoners sedated, as reported by the Telegraph. FAQs Why were the women moved from Evin prison? After an Israeli airstrike hit Evin, authorities transferred prisoners for safety reasons, but women were sent to Qarchak, a far worse facility. What is Qarchak prison like? It used to be a livestock farm. Now, it's overcrowded, unsanitary, and infested with insects and rodents. Many say it's unfit for humans, as per the report.
