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.

From April 1, the Active Investor Plus visa will be narrowed to just two categories, while the scope of acceptable investments will be expanded, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said Sunday in Auckland. As well as dropping the language test, other potential barriers to investment such as the amount of time investors must stay in the country will also be adjusted, she said.

After a sharp recession in 2024, the New Zealand government wants to capitalize on falling interest rates to lift economic performance but has acknowledged it lacks the necessary capital. It has started reworking foreign investment regulations, created a single agency to act as a one-stop shop for overseas fund managers and eased rules to allow visitors to work remotely, hoping that might encourage highly skilled people to relocate permanently.

“Capital is highly mobile and in an increasing complex world, people are looking for a safe and stable country to do business,” Stanford said. “We are now making our investor visa simpler and more flexible to incentivize investors to choose New Zealand as a destination.”