What are the requirements for New Zealand citizenship and do these apply to immigrant investors? - EB5Investors.com

What are the requirements for New Zealand citizenship and do these apply to immigrant investors?

I have heard there are a few requirements for New Zealand citizenship, such as residency and language. Are these still required of immigrant investors?

Answers

Marcel Booiman
Answered on

A visa application in the Investor Category will lead to a resident visa with so-called section 49(1) conditions. These conditions concern the investment, which must be kept in New Zealand for 3 years (Investor 1) or 4 years (Investor 2) and a minimum period of time the investor must spend in New Zealand: 44 days per year in the last two years of the 3-year investment period (Investor 1), or 146 days per year in the last three years of the 4-year investment period (Investor 2). If at least 25% of the investment is placed in growth investments, the required number of days one needs to be in New Zealand can be spread over the entire investment period. The Investor 1 Category (NZ$ 10 million investment) does not place any requirements on the English language ability of the investor. The Investor 2 Category (at least NZ$ 3 million investment) requires at least a score of 3 on the IELTS exam or similar score on any of the other tests that are allowed. The Investor 2 Category also places requirements on business experience (minimum 3 years) and age.

Richard Wu
Answered on

New Zealand citizenship and residence visas are different issues. You can apply for NZ citizenship if you have lived here as a resident for at least the last 5 years. To be eligible, you also need to meet the good character and English requirements.

DISCLAIMER: the information found on this website is intended to be general information; it is not legal or financial advice. Specific legal or financial advice can only be given by a licensed professional with full knowledge of all the facts and circumstances of your particular situation. You should seek consultation with legal, immigration, and financial experts prior to participating in the EB-5 program. Posting a question on this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. All questions you post will be available to the public: do not include confidential information in your question.