New Zealand will relax visa rules to attract more foreign investors, in efforts to stimulate economic growth, its centre-right government said on Sunday.

New Zealand is easing its investor visa rules to attract more wealthy individuals, dropping English language requirements and reducing the minimum residency period. Applicants can now qualify for residency by investing over $2 million in local businesses and spending twenty-one days in the country over three years.

Active Investor Plus is New Zealand's Golden Visa. The Golden Visa is a special visa program offered to foreigners making investments above a certain amount. Investors can receive a visa or permanent residency in return for contributing to the country's economy, typically investing in real estate, corporations, bonds, or stocks.

New Zealand is simplifying its so-called “golden visa” program, including removing an English language requirement, to attract wealthy immigrants and help spark an economic recovery.

The changes, to take effect from April 1, follow the government’s recent relaxation of visa rules allowing holidaymakers to work remotely while visiting the country, aimed at boosting its tourism sector. The new conditions allow visitors to work from New Zealand for an employer or client that is in another country.