FT has learned about the massive receipt of New Zealand's "golden visas" by billionaires from the United States

Over 700 wealthy foreigners have applied for New Zealand Golden visas in the last 14 months, with U.S. citizens accounting for almost 40% of the total number of applicants. This was reported on August 6 by the Financial Times newspaper.

Over the previous three years, there were a total of 115 such applications. At the same time, the increase in the number of applications is taking place against the background of geopolitical uncertainty, which makes the remoteness and security of the country more attractive to investors.

Since April 2025, when the program rules were revised, applicants from North America, Europe and Asia have invested 4.8 billion New Zealand dollars ($2.7 billion). The minimum investment threshold is 5 million New Zealand dollars ($2.9 million) in local foundations, companies or charities for three years, 127 more people applied for an alternative scheme with investments of 10 million New Zealand dollars ($5.8 million) in passive assets such as bonds for five years.

According to the publication, Americans have submitted 277 applications, with residents of California showing special interest. According to Lachlan Nixon, a partner at Motion Capital, a venture capital firm, having a New Zealand passport "is becoming a badge of honor in Silicon Valley."

In April 2025, New Zealand liberalized the conditions of the "golden visa", relaxing the requirements for the length of stay and allowing the purchase of expensive real estate. This happened against the background of the cancellation of similar schemes in Ireland, Malta and Australia due to low demand or concerns of abuse.

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In April, the Express newspaper reported that billionaires are preparing bunkers in New Zealand and the Pacific region. Such bunkers have become "ultra-modern" and are a "desirable place for wealthy people to prepare for a potential apocalypse." At the same time, New Zealand is considered to be the safest country in the world.