Tag: New Zealand safe haven migration

Market Updates, Migrant Resources

Why Americans Are Looking to New Zealand in Uncertain Times

Tate

New Zealand is no stranger to being seen as a safe haven when the wider world grows unstable. With the U.S. currently experiencing deep political and social divisions, and other northern hemisphere economies strained, “smart money” is again flowing south — and New Zealand is firmly on the map.

Golden Visas and the Latest Surge of American Interest

In April 2025, New Zealand significantly relaxed the rules for its Active Investor Plus (“golden visa”) programme:

  • Minimum investment thresholds were lowered.
  • English-language requirements were removed.
  • The physical residency requirement was cut from three years to just three weeks.

The results were immediate:

  • 189 applications have been submitted under the new rules, representing 609 people.
  • Nearly half of these applicants are American (~85 applications).
  • This is a dramatic contrast to the old settings, which attracted just 116 applications over 2½ years.
  • So far, Immigration NZ has approved 100 applications in principle, with NZ$45 million already transferred.
  • If all approved applicants complete their transfers, the scheme could represent up to NZ$845 million in new investment.

For context, the golden visa has two tiers:

  • Growth Category: NZ$5 million over three years.
  • Balanced Category: NZ$10 million over five years.

A Signal of Global Uncertainty: The Bunker Factor

Beyond formal visas, New Zealand has long been seen as a place to “bunker down” when the world feels uncertain.

A Texas company, Rising S, has reported selling about 10 private bunkers in New Zealand over the past few years, each costing around US$3 million and weighing in at roughly 150 tonnes. Most interest has centred around Queenstown.

These shelters are not mainstream, but they serve as a telling signal: when geopolitical or social turbulence looms elsewhere, New Zealand’s stability, remoteness, and safety make it attractive for those preparing for worst-case scenarios.

A More Accessible Path: New Zealand’s New Business Investor Visa

Some observers view the golden visa’s NZ$5–10 million thresholds as excessive. For entrepreneurs with strong skills but more moderate capital, there’s a new option: the Business Investor Visa (BIV), opening in November 2025.

Key features:

  • Investment requirement: NZ$1 million for a three-year work-to-residence pathway, or NZ$2 million for a 12-month fast track.
  • Active involvement: Unlike golden visas, BIV requires investors to actively run or scale a business in New Zealand.
  • Eligibility: Applicants must be under 55, with solid business experience and good English.

This programme is designed to balance accessibility with economic contribution — bringing not just money, but also entrepreneurial drive and job creation.

Why It Matters

  • Economic boost: New capital, new businesses, and job growth.
  • International signal: Wealthy and entrepreneurial individuals see New Zealand as a stable hedge against global volatility.
  • Balanced policy: With both the golden visa and the new BIV, New Zealand offers pathways for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and more hands-on entrepreneurs alike.

Considering Your Options?

If you are exploring the Active Investor Plus or the upcoming Business Investor Visa, I can assist.

Send interest to: tate@employmentforimmigration.nz

  • Your CV / résumé (highlighting investment or business experience).
  • A short statement of interest (which visa you’re considering, how much you plan to invest, and your business focus).

I’ll provide tailored guidance on eligibility, timelines, and practical next steps.

References & Further Reading