Latest news with #ActiveInvestorPlusVisa
Scoop
21 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
NZ First Signals Change To Foreign Buyers Ban Could Be Announced This Year
, Acting Political Editor NZ First leader Winston Peters says he expects an announcement "soon" clearing the way for wealthy foreign investors to buy high-value houses in New Zealand. But he insists the foreign buyers ban - which prevents most foreigners from purchasing existing houses - will remain in place, unchanged. "We're talking about investment. We're changing those rules and what goes with them. You have to be patient - and we'll tell you what the details are," Peters told reporters on Wednesday. "But the Foreign Buyers Act is not changing." During coalition negotiations, NZ First blocked National's proposal to allow foreigners to buy houses worth more than $2 million, contingent on a 15 percent tax. But Peters - who helped introduce the ban in 2018 as part of the Labour NZ First coalition - later said he was open to revisiting the rules "for the right investor". A spokesperson on Wednesday said discussions were ongoing about the appropriate investment threshold but suggested it would be "substantial". "New Zealand First is pursuing consultation on the matter and is looking at the government being able to make an announcement by the end of the year." Any proposed changes would need to create jobs and benefit the wider economy without disrupting the housing market, the spokesperson said. Speaking later at Parliament, Peters told reporters they would not have to wait very long for an announcement. "I'm not the one totally in control of the answer, but I would imagine by the end of 2025," he said. Peters repeatedly stated that "the foreign buyers ban will remain" but said investment rules could be changed to allow those investing "millions of dollars" to buy a house at a certain cost - "and that cost is not $2 million". "We're talking about investors. They're bringing billions to this economy," he said. "They're not buyers." Back in October, Peters told NewstalkZB he would consider changes for the "right person with the right investment" - but it would need to be far more than "a lousy $20 million". Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed the timeline outlined by Peters but declined to shed any light on the "ongoing coalition negotiations". "When we're ready to talk about it, we will," Luxon said. "You've heard what Winston said... and that's a fair reflection of where things are at." Luxon has previously conceded National set its $2m threshold "too low" and suggested $5m or $6m would be more reasonable. ACT leader and associate finance minister David Seymour - who's responsible for the Overseas Investment Act - told reporters he would support any progress on the issue. "I'd be there with bells on, because I think allowing our friends around the world to come to our country, bring their money and live here is generally - there's exceptions - but generally a win-win for New Zealand." In April, the government made changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa - the so-called 'golden visa' - easing the path for wealthy foreigners to gain residency through investment. Immigration New Zealand last month confirmed it had received nearly 200 applications since the changes were introduced.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NZ First signals change to foreign buyers ban
NZ First leader Winston Peters helped introduce the ban in 2018. Photo: RNZ New Zealand First is signalling a change to the foreign buyers ban could be announced before the end of the year. During coalition negotiations, NZ First blocked National's proposal to allow foreigners to buy houses worth more than $2 million, contingent on a 15% tax. But leader Winston Peters - who helped introduce the ban in 2018 as part of the Labour/NZ First coalition - later said he was open to revisiting the rules "for the right investor". A party spokesperson today said discussions were ongoing about the appropriate investment threshold, but suggested it would be "substantial". "New Zealand First is pursuing consultation on the matter and is looking at the government being able to make an announcement by the end of the year." Any proposed changes would need to create jobs and benefit the wider economy without disrupting the housing market, the spokesperson said. In May, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told RNZ the issue remained "an ongoing point of conversation" within the coalition. "We went to the election with a policy. We think we probably could lift... the threshold but obviously that's a discussion with New Zealand First we have to have." Luxon also conceded National had set its $2m threshold "too low" and suggested $5m or $6m would be more reasonable. In October 2024, Peters told NewstalkZB he would consider changes for the "right person with the right investment" - but it would need to be far more than "a lousy $20 million". In April this year, the government made changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa - the so-called 'golden visa' - easing the path for wealthy foreigners to gain residency through investment. Immigration New Zealand last month confirmed it had received nearly 200 applications since the changes were introduced.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Foreign buyers ban: Winston Peters says change to be announced this year, denies NZ First ‘softening'
But it's unlikely changes to loosen the current ban would face resistance from Seymour, who has been critical of the ban. A proposal to loosen the current ban is unlikely to face resistance from David Seymour (right). Photo / Mark Mitchell It was introduced in 2018 when Labour was in a coalition with NZ First. Classifying residential housing as 'sensitive' in the legislation meant non-residents and non-citizens couldn't purchase existing residential homes. Rumours have swirled for months that the Government is eyeing changes to the ban, with Peters suggesting on several occasions he is open to considering an adjustment. Foreign investment has been a critical focus for ministers as part of the coalition's growth agenda. The Government has changed the Active Investor Plus Visa – the so-called Golden Visa – to reduce the minimum amount foreigners need to invest, and has begun establishing Invest New Zealand to streamline overseas investment. In an interview with the Herald this week, Peters denied his party was 'softening' its approach but did say an announcement will come this year. Asked about a possible reversal of the policy, Peters rejected allowing foreigners to purchase houses worth $2 million. It was National's 2023 election policy to impose a 15% tax on overseas people who want to purchase property valued at more than $2m. The policy's costings received criticism during the campaign, but National stood by it. However, the tax proposal did not make it through coalition negotiations. 'The idea that for $2 million you could come into this country and get a key and that's your investment was a nonsense,' Peters told the Herald. 'We said so before the election. We also debunked the costings for it, and were joined not long after that by economists who said that New Zealand First was right. 'We're saying if you're coming here with millions of dollars to invest in this country, then yes, you could buy a house, and we're setting the terms for that.' And what is the threshold, if not $2m? Peters said: 'We will announce it to you before too long.' He confirmed that would be this year. NZ First's Winston Peters says an announcement will be made this year. Photo / Mark Mitchell The Herald asked if someone who invested in New Zealand through the Active Investor Plus Visa (it previously required a minimum investment of $15m, but the minimum option is now $5m) should be able to buy a property. 'If you are going to put $15 million in the country, I think you should be able to buy a house, yes. But not a $2m house,' Peters said. He said any investors purchasing property in New Zealand would need to do so on 'our conditions' like 'smart economies' require. National didn't want to comment for this story, but Luxon has previously admitted his party's previous $2m threshold may have been too low and has suggested lifting it to around $5m. Former Prime Minister Sir John Key last week spoke about investor immigrants being put off by the foreign buyer ban. 'If I'm turning up with $100 million, are you telling me the best I can do is rent a house?' Key said. 'We're a little country at the bottom of the world. And to make that work, you need foreign capital. You need smart foreigners to come here. You need positive population growth, migration.' He didn't think the ban was keeping house prices down as intended. 'If I'm a billionaire in China, I'm not going to wake up and think I want to buy a $800,000 house in Pakūranga,' he said. 'They might buy a $50m property on the lakefront in Queenstown.' Jamie Ensor is a political reporter in the NZ Herald press gallery team based at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office. In 2025, he was a finalist for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.
Mint
08-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
UAE, US, New Zealand and more — 5 countries that offer golden visa and how much do they cost
The United Arab Emirates government has started a brand new Golden Visa for Indians, which will be based on nomination, as opposed to spending large sums of money on buying a property or investing in the country. India and Bangladesh have been selected for the first phase of testing this visa, and a consultancy named Rayad Group has been chosen to test the initial form of the nomination-based golden visa in India. Golden visas are often popular among those who want to leave their country and settle abroad permanently. A golden visa gives high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) the option of physically relocating to a country of their choice either right away or after their retirement. When they acquire the golden visa, these HNWIs become residents of that state with full legal rights, including the right to live, work, study, and receive healthcare in that country. In its most basic form, golden visas are associated with residence by investment, and have different names in different countries. Golden visas are offered by a number of countries including the US, UAE, New Zealand and more under different programs. Here are five countries that offer golden visa and their costs: UAE's new golden visa for Indians will be based on nominations. Applicants seeking the UAE Golden Visa under the nomination category may obtain pre-approval from their home country without the need to visit Dubai. Cost: Under the 'new nomination-based visa policy,' Indians can now enjoy the UAE's Golden Visa for life by paying a fee of AED 1,00,000 (around ₹ 23.30 lakh) Donald Trump, following becoming the President of the United States in January, announced the Trump Gold Card golden visa to wealthy individuals wanting to invest in the US in turn of permanent residency. Cost: While the Trump Gold Card visa is placed on hold at the moment, this US golden visa costs $5 million. New Zealand announced its new golden visa — Active Investor Plus Visa — announced in September 2022. It allows applicants to live, work, and study in the country indefinitely, as long as they have met all the investment and time-in-country requirements. Cost: The minimum investment New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa starts at NZD 5 million. Canada's golden visa program is called Canada Start-Up Visa Program. It provides permanent residence to entrepreneurs and active investors in companies and expanding businesses that seek to establish a presence in Canada. Cost: The cost to acquire Canada's start-up golden visa inclusive of all fees is $215,000 to $275,000, depending on the start-up business. Singapore, one of the most popular countries for businesses, has its golden visa program named Singapore Global Investor Program. It is made for foreign entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers who are interested in starting a business or investing in Singapore. Successful applicants receive their permanent residence in 9 to 12 months Cost: The investment cost starts at SGD 10 million and can go up to SGD 50 million depending on the business and its size.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
High-Profile Seminar at New Zealand High Commission Highlights Rising Demand for AIP Visa Pathway Among Global Investors
Greener Pastures New Zealand, ANZ Migrate, and St. James' Place host invite-only sessions in Singapore highlighting major policy reforms and residency opportunities SINGAPORE, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A high-profile seminar titled "From Investment to Residency: New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa" was held today in Singapore, bringing together high-net-worth individuals exploring residency through New Zealand's Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa program. The exclusive, invite-only event was delivered by Greener Pastures New Zealand, ANZ Migrate, and St. James' Place, the three firms at the forefront of investment migration and wealth advisory. The strong turnout underscored growing regional interest in the AIP program, particularly from individuals and families already based in Singapore and broader Southeast Asia. It comes amid surging global interest in the AIP program following recent government reforms. Held in two sessions at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., the seminar drew family offices, wealth managers, and prospective investor migrants from across the region. Attendees heard from Dominic Jones and Mischa Mannix-Opie of Greener Pastures, James Hall of ANZ Migrate, and Jamie Burgmann of St. James' Place. The speakers provided expert insights into New Zealand, the evolving immigration policies, and the opportunity for long-term lifestyle and investment alignment. "This is a moment of transformation for New Zealand's investor migration program," said Dominic Jones, Managing Director of Greener Pastures New Zealand. "With the government streamlining requirements and sharpening its focus on active investment, global investors, especially those across Asia are responding with confidence and urgency in pursuit of long-term residency." The seminar follows the New Zealand government's April 2025 reforms to the AIP visa, which created two distinct pathways: a Growth Category for NZD 5 million in direct investments over three years with only 21 days required in-country, and a Balanced Category for NZD 10 million spread across approved asset classes over five years with a 105-day stay requirement. These changes eliminated English language testing and reduced residency thresholds, making the program more competitive on the global stage. "This isn't just about immigration. It's about contributing to New Zealand's future in a meaningful way," said Mischa Mannix-Opie, Director of Client Experience at Greener Pastures. "We're seeing interest from Americans, people from across Southeast Asia including Chinese nationals, and those from across Europe, all seeking the combination of security, stability, and opportunity that New Zealand offers." Attendees received an overview of the AIP application process, compliance considerations, and investment structures, particularly government-approved funds that meet visa criteria. The event also emphasized the role of personalized lifestyle services in helping families transition seamlessly into New Zealand life, from real estate to education. As interest builds across Asia, Greener Pastures New Zealand will continue to engage directly with investors in key financial hubs, supporting clients through every stage of the application, relocation, and investment process. For more information on Greener Pastures New Zealand, please visit About Greener Pastures New Zealand Greener Pastures New Zealand is a premier investment and lifestyle advisory firm specializing in facilitating high-net-worth investor residency through New Zealand's Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa program. As a subsidiary of Origin Capital Partners, the firm provides tailored investment products and lifestyle transition support, ensuring a smooth relocation process for high-net-worth investors. Its government-approved Diversified Fund meets AIP visa criteria, while its tailored lifestyle services ensure a smooth transition, from real estate and education to local expertise. Led by Managing Director Dominic Jones and Board Chairman Simon Botherway, Greener Pastures helps global investors build secure, sustainable futures in one of the world's most desirable destinations. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Stephen FrancyRubenstein PR212-805-3017sfrancy@ Sign in to access your portfolio
