Government investment and visa changes 2025

The story so far

In February 2025, the National-led government announced plans to overhaul the Active Investor Plus visa, lowering the required asset threshold and removing English language requirements to attract more foreign investment.^{9 Feb 2025} The same month, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon released the government's first quarterly action plan for 2025, focused on economic growth and rebuilding.^{10 Feb 2025} The plan included an international investment summit in March to attract global business leaders, along with upgrades to visa settings, agriculture regulation and planning rules.^{10 Feb 2025} In March, the government said it was considering tweaks to the Foreign Investment Fund tax regime to encourage wealthy, highly skilled migrants to stay and invest.^{12 Mar 2025} The proposed changes are intended to address criticism of the regime's tax on unrealised capital gains.^{12 Mar 2025}

Latest

In March 2025, the government said it was considering changes to the Foreign Investment Fund regime, aimed at keeping wealthy, highly skilled migrants and addressing criticism of the tax on unrealised capital gains.^{12 Mar 2025}

What's next

The Active Investor Plus visa overhaul is set to start on 1 April.^{9 Feb 2025} An international investment summit is planned for March.^{10 Feb 2025}

Key moments

1. 9 Feb 2025Government announces plans to overhaul the Active Investor Plus visa from 1 April.
2. 10 Feb 2025Luxon releases first quarterly action plan, including a March investment summit.
3. 12 Mar 2025Government considers Foreign Investment Fund tax changes to keep wealthy migrants.

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