Can Qatari nationals get residency in New Zealand by buying property?

Yes. Active Investor Plus - Balanced category: from NZ$10,000,000 (about $5.99m). NZD 10m for 60 months across direct investments, managed funds, listed equities, bonds, philanthropy and property developments (new residential, commercial or industrial developments, existing commercial/industrial property; existing residential not eligible)

How long does it take?

Active Investor Plus - Growth category: 80% of approvals in principle within 11 weeks. The permit runs Indefinite (resident visa with investment conditions).

Does it lead to citizenship?

Permanent residence after 3 years; the route itself sets no timetable for citizenship.

New Zealand Residency for Qatari nationals: Routes, Costs and Rules

For Qatari nationals

What is different for Qatari nationals.

Under the GCC Economic Agreement, GCC citizens get the same treatment as nationals in other member states across economic activities, including real estate ownership and residence.
GCC Economic Agreement (2001), via Gulf Labour Markets and Migration programme
Qatari citizens use the US Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) and the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, but still need a visa for the Schengen area.
Wikipedia, Visa requirements for Qatari citizens
An EU visa exemption for Qatari and Kuwaiti nationals was proposed in April 2022 and the Council agreed its negotiating mandate in June 2022, but it has not entered into force.
Council of the European Union, document ST-10357-2022

2 open routes

The routes to living in New Zealand.

Active Investor Plus - Growth category

Open37

settings in force since 1 Apr 2025

Minimum: NZ$5,000,000 · about $2.99m
What counts: NZD 5m for 36 months in direct investments or managed funds approved by Invest New Zealand; philanthropy up to 20%
Processing: 80% of approvals in principle within 11 weeks
Permit: Indefinite (resident visa with investment conditions)
Time you must spend there: 21 days in New Zealand over the 36-month investment period
Path to a passport: Permanent residence after 3 years; the route itself sets no timetable for citizenship.
Family: partner (12+ months living together) and dependent children aged 24 or under
Tax: NZ tax residents are taxed on worldwide income; new residents may get a temporary exemption on most foreign income

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Active Investor Plus - Balanced category

Open28

settings in force since 1 Apr 2025

Minimum: NZ$10,000,000 · about $5.99m
What counts: NZD 10m for 60 months across direct investments, managed funds, listed equities, bonds, philanthropy and property developments (new residential, commercial or industrial developments, existing commercial/industrial property; existing residential not eligible)
Processing: 80% of approvals in principle within 11 weeks
Permit: Indefinite (resident visa with investment conditions)
Time you must spend there: 105 days over the 60-month period, reduced with extra Growth-type investment (91 at NZD 11m, down to 63 at NZD 13m)
Path to a passport: Permanent residence after 5 years; the route itself sets no timetable for citizenship.
Family: partner and dependent children aged 24 or under
Tax: as Growth

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Residency rules, thresholds and fees change often, sometimes without notice. Everything here is general information, checked on the date shown, not legal, tax or immigration advice: confirm with the official source and a licensed adviser before you act. Continental sells property; we don’t arrange visas or residency.

Short answers

What people ask.

Can Qatari nationals get residency in New Zealand by buying property?: Yes. Active Investor Plus - Balanced category: from NZ$10,000,000 (about $5.99m). NZD 10m for 60 months across direct investments, managed funds, listed equities, bonds, philanthropy and property developments (new residential, commercial or industrial developments, existing commercial/industrial property; existing residential not eligible)
How long does it take?: Active Investor Plus - Growth category: 80% of approvals in principle within 11 weeks. The permit runs Indefinite (resident visa with investment conditions).
Does it lead to citizenship?: Permanent residence after 3 years; the route itself sets no timetable for citizenship.

Read it for your passport

New Zealand residency, passport by passport.

Visa-free stays: Wikipedia visa-requirement tables for each passport, read 20 October 2026. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Where we can help

Our markets, where a home can count.

We don’t sell homes in New Zealand. These are the countries where we do, and where buying one can count towards residency.

The homes: Homes in Thailand · Homes in Malaysia · Homes in the United Arab Emirates · Homes in Saudi Arabia · Homes in Oman · Homes in Spain.

New Zealand residency for Qatari nationals.