New Zealand makes ‘golden visa’ simpler, drops language test to woo rich foreigners.
In a strategic move to attract affluent investors, New Zealand is set to revamp its Active Investor Plus Visa, commonly referred to as the ‘Golden Visa’. The program, which previously mandated a minimum investment of NZ$15 million (approximately US$9.4 million), has seen a significant decline in applications following stringent rule changes in 2022. To reverse this trend, the government plans to relax certain eligibility criteria, including the removal of the English language proficiency requirement.
Key Changes to the Golden Visa Program:
Investment Threshold: The current requirement of NZ$15 million is under review, with expectations of a reduction to make the program more accessible.
English Language Test: The mandatory English language test will be eliminated, simplifying the application process for non-English speaking investors.
Investment Options: The government intends to broaden the range of eligible investment categories to attract a diverse pool of investors.
These modifications aim to rejuvenate the program, which previously attracted an average of NZ$1 billion annually but has recently seen a sharp decline, with only 35 applications approved in the past two years, totaling NZ$352 million in investments.
Eligibility for Pakistani Citizens:
Pakistani nationals are eligible to apply for New Zealand‘s Golden Visa, provided they meet the specified investment criteria. The removal of the English language requirement is anticipated to make the program more accessible to investors from non-English speaking countries, including Pakistan. However, applicants must still comply with all other stipulated requirements.
The New Zealand government is expected to announce detailed changes to the Golden Visa program in the coming weeks, aiming to implement a more attractive and streamlined process for prospective investors worldwide.
