New Zealand's 'Golden Visa' Expands to Include Build-to-Rent Housing Investments
New Zealand's Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa will now allow wealthy migrants to invest in build-to-rent housing developments through managed funds, aiming to increase the country's rental housing supply. This expansion, effective December 2026, provides a new pathway for significant investments under the 'golden visa' scheme.
New Zealand has announced a significant expansion to its Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa programme, allowing migrants holding the so-called 'golden visa' to invest in build-to-rent housing developments. This new investment option will become available from December 2026, aiming to address the country's housing needs by increasing rental supply, as confirmed by Immigration New Zealand and reported by RNZ.
Under the updated policy, investor migrants can include build-to-rent housing as part of their overall investment in New Zealand. These investments must be made through approved managed funds, with direct investment into these developments explicitly not permitted. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized that the 'growth' category, requiring a minimum $5 million investment over three years, is designed to foster business growth, innovation, and productivity.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop noted that the build-to-rent model, which involves large residential developments specifically for renting, can enhance long-term rental availability. For Filipino migrants and investors in New Zealand, this change offers an additional avenue for meeting their visa investment requirements while potentially contributing to the broader housing market.
The Active Investor Plus Visa, which was updated in April 2025, has already seen substantial engagement, attracting $5 billion in investments from over 900 applications. More than 80 percent of these applications have fallen under the 'growth' category, indicating a strong preference for investments that align with the country's economic development goals.
Key facts
- New Zealand's Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa, commonly known as the 'golden visa', will include build-to-rent housing developments as an eligible investment option starting December 2026.
- This new investment pathway falls under the 'growth' category of the AIP visa, requiring a minimum investment of $5 million for at least three years.
- Investments in build-to-rent developments must be channeled through approved managed funds, with direct investments not being accepted.
- The New Zealand government, through Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, anticipates this initiative will help boost rental housing stock and contribute to business growth and productivity.
- Since its update in April 2025, the AIP visa has attracted $5 billion in investments across more than 900 applications, with over 80 percent in the growth category.
Official sources
Kislap reports this story for general information only. Nothing here is immigration, legal, financial, tax, medical, employment, or other professional advice; check official sources and speak with a qualified professional before acting.
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