To NZ with Millions and Trump's Rejection: Breaking the Ties
U.S. high net-worth individuals seeking refuge from Trump administration find a sanctuary in New Zealand - Prosperous Americans Escaping Trump Presidency Seek Refuge in New Zealand
Leaving the bustling USA for the tranquil New Zealand—an 17-hour flight from New York to Auckland—is now a journey embraced by some well-off Americans. It seems they're eager to embark on this one-way voyage, seeking long-term residency in this distant island nation.
Fortunately for them, New Zealand is eagerly courting affluent immigrants and has relaxed visa requirements significantly this year. dubbed the "Active Investor Plus" visa, or the "golden visa" casually, the offer is meant to lure investors to New Zealand, renowned for its stringent immigration and visa regulations.
New Zealand's Magnetic Pull for Investors
Investing close to 3 million US dollars in New Zealand for a minimum of three years is the prerequisite. Visa applicants must spend 21 days annually in the country, previously a three-month-long commitment. The English language skills requirement has also been scrapped, though this shouldn't pose a problem to Americans.
These changes were greenlit by the New Zealand parliament in February and enacted in April. Led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, the government is pursuing a growth strategy that emphasizes welcoming foreign capital. As Luxon puts it, "For too long, New Zealand has bottlenecked investments. We’ve been reluctant to appreciate the advantages of foreign investment, despite there being billions of dollars of capital seeking a home."
Leaving Trump Behind: American Exodus
For a number of Americans with access to such capital, this proposition presents an attractive opportunity. Immigration data from New Zealand reveals that nearly half of applicants hail from USA. This trend seems directly linked to the political climate in the United States. "Nearly all applicants are motivated by the changes they've encountered under the Trump administration," notes former minister Stuart Nash, who now advises investors opting for New Zealand with his agency, as reported by the "Guardian".
The offer is also appealing to investors worldwide. Since the April reform, 189 applications have been filed. In comparison, only 115 applications were accepted in a span of two and a half years prior. The majority of these applications stem from the USA, with 16 from Germany.
Sources: "Guardian", "RNZ", New Zealand Immigration (1), New Zealand Immigration (2)
- New Zealand
- Visa
- USA
- Christopher Luxon
- Donald Trump
In broader perspective, while specific documented policy changes aimed at attracting American investors following Donald Trump's administration are scarce, New Zealand occasionally adjusts investment thresholds and criteria to remain attractive for foreign investors. After the Trump administration (2017–2021), which brought changes in U.S. immigration policy and investment landscapes, countries like New Zealand have tried to present themselves as stable, alluring destinations for foreign investment. However, clearly defined policy shifts specifically targeted at Americans as a result of Trump's policies haven't been extensively documented publicly. Generally, New Zealand's immigration policy updates reflect broader economic goals and global investor trends rather than focusing on specific nationalities post-foreign political administrations.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive concerning the relaxation of New Zealand's visa requirements for finance-rich immigrants, following the political changes under the Trump administration. This relaxation is evident in the reduced investment threshold and altered criteria, as part of New Zealand's broader strategy to attract general-news investors worldwide, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
