Understanding the citizenship process before applying can make the process much easier. Whether you’re already living in New Zealand or planning your move here, our guide will ensure you know the steps involved, how much the process costs, and how long it can take to get your application approved.
New Zealand is known as a desirable place to live! Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, laid-back way of life, and focus on the outdoors, it’s no wonder that around 37,000 people apply for citizenship here every year.
Recent statistics show the top countries of birth for new citizens are:
|
Country |
Percentage |
|
UK |
15.3% |
|
India |
13.6% |
|
Samoa |
8.9% |
|
Philippines |
8.6% |
|
South Africa |
7.5% |
|
Fiji |
7.5% |
|
China |
3.3% |
|
Tonga |
2.4% |
|
Australia |
2.1% |
|
United States |
2.1% |
Becoming a New Zealand citizen comes with lots of benefits. There are tangible advantages, like gaining full legal rights, access to social services, travel access on a New Zealand passport, and the right to vote in local and national elections.
These benefits make it easier to live and work long-term in New Zealand. But, there are also emotional benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. Citizenship may make you feel more ‘secure’ in calling New Zealand home, and for many people, it reinforces their sense of being a ‘Kiwi.’
There are three main pathways to becoming a New Zealand citizen.
If you have a parent who’s a New Zealand citizen and was born here—depending on what year you were born—you may be eligible. If you don’t have any family ties to New Zealand, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship after you move here.
Here’s how each pathway works:
You will automatically be granted citizenship if you were born in New Zealand before 1 January 2006. This means you’ll be eligible to vote once you turn 18, can apply for a New Zealand passport anytime, and already have social services benefits.
If you were born after this date, you must have at least one parent who was either a New Zealand citizen or a resident at the time of your birth to qualify as a citizen.
You may still be eligible for citizenship even if you were born overseas. Children born overseas to at least one parent who is a New Zealand citizen are eligible by descent.
Many people use this pathway to ensure that children retain a connection to New Zealand, even if they are born or living overseas. There is still an application process you’ll need to take to register yourself (or your child) for citizenship.
Applying for citizenship is the most common pathway for many people. You’ll need to be a resident, demonstrate good character, have basic English language skills, and intend to continue living in New Zealand.
To be successful, you’ll also need to show a commitment to New Zealand by understanding our cultural values and fulfilling other criteria set by the government.
If you want to apply for citizenship, there are some criteria you will need to meet. It’s a good idea to be aware of these criteria as early as possible so as not to delay the application process.
To be eligible to apply for citizenship, you must have lived in New Zealand for a minimum period.
This is usually at least 1,350 days over the past five years. You must have spent at least 240 days in each of those years, spent physically in the country.
Your residency must be under a valid New Zealand residence visa and time spent overseas may not count unless it meets specific exceptions.
It’s necessary to provide a clear criminal record as part of your application to demonstrate good character.
Your application will most likely be denied if you have convictions for serious offences or ongoing legal issues.
To apply for citizenship, you’ll need to prove basic proficiency in the English language.
This is required to ensure that you can engage with New Zealand society. This may be assessed through existing documentation or an interview.
To be eligible for citizenship, you’ll need to show that you intend to continue living in New Zealand permanently.
This could be demonstrated through ties to your community, employment, family connections, or other significant commitments. It’s a good idea to work on this before your application, as community ties and connections take time to build!
While this isn’t a formal test, if you’re applying for citizenship, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with New Zealand’s cultural values and history.
This includes understanding the Maori culture—read the Treaty of Waitangi as a foundational document.
Have I spent 1,350 days in New Zealand over the past five years?
Have I spent at least 240 days in each of those years in the country?
Do I have a clear criminal record?
Do I have basic proficiency in the English language?
Can I prove my ties to the country or my community?
Do I have a good understanding of New Zealand values?
If you can answer these questions positively, you may be ready to apply for citizenship in New Zealand. Here’s how to get started!
It can take approximately four months to do the New Zealand citizenship application. This timeframe will vary from person to person, but the more prepared you, are the faster your application process will be.
You don’t have to wait until you’re eligible to apply for citizenship—you can start gathering your documentation.
Before applying, find out if you meet the eligibility criteria by visiting the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs. The NZ DIA has an online quiz that makes it easy to understand whether you are ready to apply.
Check whether you are eligible here.
Applying for citizenship does require a fair bit of documentation. Some of this may be similar to documents you had to gather for your residency or your initial move to New Zealand.
Start compiling all the documents—copies you’ll need to support your application and keep them in a safe place.
These may include:
A valid passport.
Your birth certificate.
Proof of residency, such as a residence visa or permanent resident visa.
Evidence of time spent in New Zealand (e.g., travel records or immigration history).
References from New Zealand citizens who can attest to your good character.
Any additional documents requested based on your circumstances.
There are several ways you can apply for New Zealand Citizenship. Applications can be submitted online through the official citizenship portal, in person or you can send your application in by post.
You can apply online here.
Make sure you have:
A login using RealMe (you can create one if you do not have one already).
A device with internet access and a camera for an identity check.
An identity referee.
Digital copies of your photo and documents.
A credit or debit card.
You will need to pay the application fee when you submit it.
The cost of applying for New Zealand citizenship is $470.20 for adults aged 16 and over or $235.10 for children aged 15 and under.
Once you’ve submitted your application, it’s reviewed by the Department of Internal Affairs. Processing times can vary from 3 months to over a year, depending on how many applications there are and the complexity of each case. During this time, officials may contact you for additional information or documents. About 93% of applicants have their applications approved within 18 months of applying.
Once your application is approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony.
This ceremony involves taking the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to New Zealand and it’s a celebratory event. You can invite friends or family members to attend with you. This ceremony marks your official welcome as a New Zealand citizen and you will receive your citizenship certificate during the event.
Applying for citizenship in New Zealand is relatively straightforward. Eligibility largely comes down to ensuring you’ve been in the country for the right amount of time, have a clean criminal record and plan to stay in New Zealand indefinitely. Even so, you may still have questions about the process as you begin your application.
If your application is declined outright, it may be because you don’t meet all the criteria. Perhaps you haven’t stayed in New Zealand long enough, or don’t have the right documentation. If it’s not clear whether you fit the criteria, your immigration agent (assigned to you by the DIA) will usually ask for further documentation.
If you do not meet the criteria, your application will be denied.
In many cases, this won’t affect your ability to apply for citizenship at a later date.
If you are applying as a family, each family member should submit their own application—though children or any dependents under 15 years old can be included in a parent’s application.
One parent must fill in the parental consent form, but both parents must give consent for the child to apply for citizenship.
Trips and holidays away from New Zealand are fine as long as you have spent at least 1,350 days in New Zealand over the past five years.
This needs to include at least 240 days a year in the country. If you have spent less time than that in New Zealand, you may have to delay your application.
Not meeting the citizenship criteria won’t affect your current visa or residential status, but it might delay your plans to become a citizen.
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