Overview
Buddle Findlay advises non-residents applying for the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa, New Zealand's residence-by-investment pathway, on structuring their investment across the Growth and Balanced categories and planning its New Zealand tax consequences.
We liaise closely with immigration lawyers on the immigration aspects of an application, so our advice sits alongside, not in place of, specialist immigration advice.
The AIP visa offers two investment categories, Growth and Balanced, each with its own investment thresholds and acceptable asset types. We help investors choose the right category and structure their investment to meet the visa's requirements.
Getting the tax position right matters as much as meeting the visa's investment criteria. We advise on how an AIP investment should be structured for New Zealand tax purposes, and on the wider tax consequences of becoming a New Zealand tax resident, including New Zealand tax residency itself, the transitional resident exemption, and the cross-border tax questions that arise once an investor has assets, income or family in more than one country.
Buying a home in New Zealand is often part of the picture for our AIP clients. We guide you through the Overseas Investment Office consent process to make use of the high-value residential exemption available to you.
We help investors meet the ongoing compliance checks required to hold the visa, through to permanent residence. Investment thresholds and criteria are set by Immigration New Zealand and Invest New Zealand, and we track these settings closely so your investment and application stay compliant as they evolve
Experience
Planning your move or investment under the Active Investor Plus visa?
Our overview of tax considerations for internationally mobile families covers what you need to know
Read moreLooking for advice beyond your Active Investor Plus visa?
Our private wealth team helps individuals, families and family offices build, protect and pass on their wealth.