New Zealand’s Immigration Act of 1987 created a route for migrants willing to invest at least NZ$150,000. The Business Investment Category, created in 1991, introduced new flexibility in investments, and reform in 1999 introduced the Investor Category.

Today, there are two routes for investors looking to migrate to New Zealand. The most popular category, the Investor Visa (also known as the Investor 2 Category), requires investments of NZ$1.5 million in bonds, equity or residential property development. The Investor Plus Visa (also known as the Investor 1 Category), requires investments of NZ$10 million, but has more relaxed physical residency requirements and has no requirements on age, proficiency in English or business experience.

The program has grown in popularity over the last five years, with around 600 visas granted to main applicants since 2010.