New Zealand Golden Visa Losing Ground as Indian Investors Favor Dubai
New Zealand has long been a destination for high-net-worth investors looking for stability, a high quality of life, and long-term residency options. The New Zealand Golden Visa, which requires a significant financial commitment, was once a popular choice among Indian investors. However, in recent years, Dubai has emerged as a far more attractive alternative, offering lower investment thresholds, tax advantages, and a faster residency process.
The shift in investor preference raises questions about whether New Zealand’s stringent investment requirements and higher costs are making it a less appealing destination compared to Dubai’s business-friendly and tax-free environment.
Challenges of the New Zealand Golden Visa
New Zealand’s investment-based residency program, often referred to as the New Zealand Golden Visa, requires millions of dollars in investment and a long processing timeline. Investors need to commit between NZD 5 million ($3 million) and NZD 15 million ($9 million) to qualify for residency, depending on the type of investment.
While New Zealand is known for its political stability, strong economy, and natural beauty, the program has several limitations that are pushing investors—particularly from India—toward alternative destinations.
One of the biggest deterrents for Indian investors is New Zealand’s high tax rates and the slow return on investment. Additionally, the geographic distance from major business hubs makes it a less strategic location for entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses internationally.
In contrast, Dubai offers an attractive residency option through real estate investment and business setup, with no income tax and a far lower capital requirement.
Why Indian Investors Are Choosing Dubai Over New Zealand
While the New Zealand Golden Visa offers long-term residency, Dubai has quickly become the preferred choice for Indian investors looking for a more flexible and business-friendly option.
Lower Investment Threshold
Dubai’s Golden Visa program requires an investment of just AED 2 million (~$545,000) in real estate, a significantly lower threshold compared to New Zealand’s multi-million-dollar investment requirement. This affordability makes it accessible to a larger pool of investors, particularly entrepreneurs and business owners from India.
Faster Processing and Residency Approval
While New Zealand’s Golden Visa processing can take several months to years, Dubai’s residency visa is typically granted within 1-3 months, providing a quicker pathway to stability.
Tax Benefits
Dubai’s zero income tax policy is one of its biggest advantages over New Zealand, which has high personal and corporate tax rates. Indian investors looking to optimize their wealth and business earnings see Dubai as a financially smarter choice.
Business Expansion Opportunities
Dubai serves as a global business hub, offering access to the Middle East, Africa, and European markets. Many Indian entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals find it easier to expand their businesses internationally from Dubai, compared to the geographically isolated economy of New Zealand.
Proximity to India
Dubai’s location is another crucial factor influencing Indian investors. With frequent direct flights and a travel time of just 3-4 hours from major Indian cities, Dubai offers greater connectivity and ease of travel compared to New Zealand, which requires a long-haul flight of over 16 hours.
High Rental Yields and Real Estate Growth
Dubai’s booming real estate market is another major draw for investors. While New Zealand has strict property purchase regulations for foreign buyers, Dubai offers foreign ownership of real estate in designated areas, along with high rental returns and strong appreciation potential.
Will New Zealand’s Golden Visa Become Less Attractive in 2025?
With Indian investors shifting their focus toward Dubai, the future of the New Zealand Golden Visa program remains uncertain. In 2023, the country made changes to its investment residency program, raising the minimum investment requirement and restricting property purchases, which further discouraged foreign investors.
In contrast, Dubai continues to attract foreign investment by offering easy residency options, flexible business policies, and tax advantages. This raises concerns about whether New Zealand’s Golden Visa program will need to evolve in 2025 to remain competitive in the global investment migration market.
Some experts believe that New Zealand might have to lower its investment threshold or introduce tax incentives to compete with Dubai and other emerging residency-by-investment destinations.
Investment Migration Expert Yusuf Boz on Dubai vs. New Zealand for Indian Investors
Investment migration expert Yusuf Boz sees a clear shift in investor preference toward Dubai, citing its tax advantages, ease of doing business, and fast residency approvals:
“Indian investors are no longer willing to lock millions of dollars in long-term investments with slow returns. Dubai offers them a much faster, tax-free, and business-friendly residency option, making it the clear winner over New Zealand.”
Boz also warns that New Zealand’s restrictive policies may further push investors away:
“If New Zealand does not adapt its investment requirements to global competition, it risks losing out on high-net-worth investors. The cost-benefit analysis simply doesn’t favor New Zealand anymore when Dubai offers so much more at a fraction of the investment.”
This shift signals that Dubai is set to remain a dominant player in the investment migration market, while New Zealand must reconsider its policies to stay relevant.
Should Indian Investors Still Consider New Zealand’s Golden Visa?
While New Zealand offers a high standard of living, its Golden Visa program’s high cost and limited benefits are making it less attractive to Indian investors. In contrast, Dubai offers a lower investment threshold, tax-free earnings, and a strong business environment, making it the preferred choice for 2025.
For high-net-worth individuals seeking quick residency, tax efficiency, and global business access, Dubai remains the smarter investment migration option.
