Introduced in July 2009 to replace the previously failed Investor category, this category has two options.

Category 1 is directed at high net worth individuals of any age and has minimum key requirements.

• All requirements are expressed in $NZD
• As at 1st October 2009 $1.00NZD = $US 0.71.60
• Clients who meet the minimum requirements can apply directly for Permanent residence.

Include:

CATEGORY 1 - MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• Required investment amount is $10 million ("Investment funds")
• Meet normal health and character requirements.
• Maintain investment funds in New Zealand for 3 years in an acceptable investment. (see below)
• Residential requirements, 73 days (20%) in each of the last 2 years of the 3 year investment period.

Not Required

• No English laguage requirement at all.
• No business experience.
• No age limit.
• Settlement funds.

Miscellaneous Requirments -

• Demonstrate ownership of the investment funds and legally acquired and/or earned. (gifted funds are also acceptable.

Investment of Funds -

• Most investments that are capable of providing a commercial return are acceptable (with the exception of Banks or Finance Companies and Residential Property investment.

Transfer of Funds -

• Funds need to be transferred to New Zealand through the banking system within 12 months of receiving approval in principle to your Residence Application.

CATEGORY 2 unlike Category 1 applications, is a point's based system with clients being assessed and allocated points according to:

• English language, Age, Business experience, Investment Funds

Applicants are required to submit and Expression o Interest ("EOI") detailing their claim for points. The minimum points score is 20. Applicants who achieve 20 points are entered into a "Pool".

This category is "capped" at 300 approved applicants per year, therefore the points pass mark is determined by the number of applications.

CATEGORY 2 - MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• English language ability International English Test Score (IELTS) or 3 or more.
• Age: 65 or younger.
• Business experience: minimum of 3 years (see note below)
• Investment funds: Minimum of $1.5 million.
• Settlement funds: $1 million (transfer to New Zealand not required)
• Maintain INvestment funds for 4 years.
• Residential requirement. 146 days (40%) in each of the last three years of 4 year investment period.
• Health and character requirements.

Clients with higher point's totals than 20 can be expected to be invited to apply for Residence. Minimum points are increased for higher Investment funds; more business experience; higher English language scores.

Points will decrease with age.

Note: This is a new Policy so at the moment the selection mark is 20. Selections take place fortnightly.

Investment of Funds -

• Most investments that are capable of providing a commercial return are acceptable (with the exception of Banks or Finance Companies and Residential Property investment.

Transfer of Funds -

• Funds need to be transferred to New Zealand through the banking system within 12 months of receivin approval in principle to your Residence Application.

Business Experience -

• The client must have experience in planning, organization, control, senior change management, direction-setting and mentoring acquired through ownership of or management level experience in business that has at least five full time employees and an annual turnover of $1 million.