Invest in U.S. Stocks in New Zealand | Stake (2024)

FAQs

How to buy US stocks in New Zealand? ›

You can't invest directly in the S&P 500, or any stock market index, because they are nothing more than company lists. However, you can invest in index funds, managed funds, mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) containing S&P 500 companies, even if you live in New Zealand.

There are a couple different ways non-U.S. investors can open an international brokerage account. You could open an account with a financial services company in your country of residence that offers access to U.S. stocks. Or you might open a brokerage account for non-U.S. residents with a U.S.-based broker.

Can foreigners invest in New Zealand? Foreign investment is crucial for the sustainable growth of our economy. The New Zealand Government welcomes foreign investment which is good for New Zealand.

Generally speaking, unless you're a US tax resident there is no tax on the sale of shares purchased on the US markets. New Zealand has a tax treaty with the USA, so if you need to pay tax in NZ, you should be able to claim a credit for some or all of the tax that you've already paid in the US.

With this visa you can

Come to New Zealand to buy or set up your own business. Work in your own business in New Zealand for up to 3 years in total. Include your partner, and dependent children aged 19 and under, in your visa application.

Kiwis can invest in Vanguard funds directly through dedicated investment managers (such as InvestNow and Smartshares), directly through online brokerages (such as Sharesies, Hatch, Tiger Brokers or Stake) or indirectly through fund providers (such as SuperLife).

Thus, while you cannot buy S&P 500 stocks, you can buy stocks in an index that tracks the S&P 500. In fact, this is one of the best ways for budding investors to get their feet wet in the stock market. Some of the most popular index funds that track the S&P 500 include: Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX)

Our custodial service is audited every year by KPMG—our independent custodial auditor. The audit is a thorough process where the auditor looks in detail at all of the systems and controls we've put in place to keep your money and investments safe.

You generally won't have to pay U.S. capital gains tax on your investment earnings if you're a nonresident alien. You'll usually be subject to the same capital gains tax as U.S. citizens if you're a resident alien.

Can non US residents own US stocks? ›

There's no citizenship requirement for owning stocks of American companies. There are some extra hoops that non-U.S. investors may have to jump through before investing in U.S. stocks because foreign owners and holders of U.S.-based assets are subject to an array of U.S. laws intended to protect U.S. interests.

American expats often end up investing through financial institutions in their country of residence or in popular financial centers, such as London, Amsterdam or Hong Kong. This is especially true when living abroad becomes a permanent or semi-permanent situation.

Requirements of the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Program. To qualify for residence, applicants must fulfill all of the following requirements: Invest between NZD 5 million and NZD 15 million over the course of four years.

The overall business climate in the country is considered positive, and New Zealand ranks 27th among the 132 economies on the Global Innovation Index 2023 and 6th out of 184 countries on the latest Index of Economic Freedom.

Requirements to get the Golden Visa New Zealand

The investor has to live at least 33 days in NZ in each of the last 2 years after the residence is approved, or 88 days over the three year investment period. Investor 2 Category Visa– An investment of NZ$3,000,000 for 4 years.

Online Share Trading is a DIY service that lets you buy or sell shares in more than 170 companies listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) and over 2000 equities listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). In addition, you can buy and sell exchange traded funds online on the NZX or ASX.

The key restriction for non-resident buyers, including Americans, is on purchasing existing residential properties. The Overseas Investment Act generally prohibits non-residents from buying existing homes. However, you can invest in new housing developments and certain types of commercial real estate.

By opening an overseas trading account with a domestic broker, investors can invest in US stocks, just like they would invest in Indian stocks. The process is similar, and investors can buy and sell US stocks through the trading platform provided by the domestic broker.