New Zealand’s new Active Investor Plus visa rules, introduced in April 2025, have sparked a rush of applications from wealthy Americans and others. The visa, often called a “golden visa,” now requires a minimum investment of NZ$5 million ($3 million), dropped from $15 million before. Applicants need to spend just three weeks in New Zealand to qualify, cut down from three years, and no English test is needed. Immigration New Zealand reported 573 applications covering 1,833 people so far. This is a big jump from just 116 applications in the previous two and a half years. Nearly 40% of these new applications are from the US, followed by China and Hong Kong. Chinese applicants more than doubled since August 2025, rising from 45 to 95. Other top countries include Germany, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and Great Britain. There are two categories under the golden visa. The “growth” category requires investing NZ$5 million over three years. The “balanced” category calls for NZ$10 million over five years. The rules also restrict home purchases to properties worth over $5 million. Courtney and Jim Andelman from California, who run a venture capital firm, became the 100th family to get the golden visa. Courtney said New Zealand is “one of the most amazing countries on the planet” and called the visa a “really smart investment scheme.” They admire New Zealand’s entrepreneurial spirit and are interested in tech sectors like AI, robotics, and biotech. However, they chose not to buy a home there to avoid housing market pressures. Robbie Paul, CEO of Icehouse Ventures in Auckland, has worked with over 30 golden visa applicants. He noted many Americans view the visa as a way to escape Trump’s policies. "Never in my time in New Zealand, did I have an applicant reference Biden or Obama ... and then, absolutely, a lot of references to people’s feelings towards Maga and Trump," he said. New Zealand remains attractive for its political stability, English language, and natural beauty. Interest surged after key events like Trump’s 2016 win and the US Supreme Court’s abortion ruling. The visa scheme has brought $3.39 billion in investments so far, Immigration NZ said. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said, “International investment is critical for lifting productivity, supporting jobs, and helping New Zealand businesses to expand.” Meanwhile, many New Zealand citizens continue to leave due to economic pressures, though recent data shows a slight improvement.