Apply for New Zealand citizenship
Once you have lived in New Zealand on a residence visa for long enough, you can apply to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) for citizenship. This is called "citizenship by grant". DIA's main requirements are: you have lived in New Zealand as a resident for at least 5 years and meet the minimum days in the country, you are of good character, you can hold a basic conversation in English, and you intend to keep living in New Zealand. The adult application fee is NZ$641, and processing takes 3 to 14 months. After approval, you become a citizen only when you take the oath or affirmation at a citizenship ceremony.
Key facts
- Application fee
- Adults (16 and over) NZ$641; children (15 and under) NZ$3201
- Processing time
- 3 to 14 months1
- Years as a resident
- You must have lived in New Zealand as a resident for at least the past 5 years2
- Days in New Zealand
- Count back 5 years from the day you apply: at least 240 days in each 12-month period, and 1,350 days in total over the 5 years2
- Time overseas warning
- If you are out of New Zealand for more than 4 months in any 12-month period, or more than 15 months in total over 5 years, you may not meet the requirement2
- Character: when you are very unlikely to be approved
- You have charges pending in any country; you were convicted in the past 3 years; you were in prison in the past 7 years; you were ever sentenced to more than 5 years in prison; or you have a protection order that is still in force3
- Character: traffic offences
- Parking tickets and speed camera fines are not a concern; if you have 100 or more demerit points on your driver licence, the Citizenship Office will talk to you about it3
- Overseas police clearance
- If you lived in another country while holding a New Zealand residence visa for more than 4 months in the past 3 years, or more than 12 months in the past 12 years, you may need a police clearance from that country3
- Citizenship ceremony
- You must attend within 1 year of approval; ceremonies are usually held 2 to 5 months after approval, and you get an invitation about 4 weeks before4
- Citizenship test
- From around late 2027, most citizenship by grant applicants are expected to need to pass a test: 20 multiple-choice questions in English, with at least 15 correct5
- Citizenship Office
- Free phone 0800 22 51 51 (within New Zealand only); email citizenship@dia.govt.nz2
Who is this for, and what are the requirements?
- Residence status: your visa must let you live in New Zealand indefinitely. If you hold a residence visa, any conditions on it must have been met or removed (for example, parent category conditions may last 5 or 10 years). A permanent resident visa has no conditions. If you changed visas in the past 5 years, that is fine as long as each visa let you live here indefinitely.
- Time in New Zealand: see "Days in New Zealand" above. Time spent overseas working for the New Zealand Government (Crown service) counts as time in New Zealand.
- Intention to keep living in New Zealand: you must intend to live in New Zealand after you become a citizen. If you already know you will live overseas, it must be because you will work for the New Zealand Government, work for an international organisation that New Zealand belongs to (such as the United Nations), be employed by a New Zealand person or organisation, or go with your New Zealand citizen partner who is on Crown service overseas.
- Good character: see the character facts above.
- English: you must be able to hold a basic conversation in English. If English is not your first language, include proof of your English with your application, for example school certificates or reports, an IELTS test report, a reference letter from your employer, or university transcripts or degree certificates. Your case officer may ask to interview you if they are not sure.
- Different requirements apply to children and to Samoan citizens. Check the official website for details.
How do I do it? Steps and process
- Check which type of citizenship applies
There are three types of New Zealand citizenship: by birth, by descent and by grant. Migrants usually apply for citizenship by grant.
- Check that you meet the requirements
Use the self-check tool on govt.nz to check the presence, English and character requirements. Count your days in New Zealand back 5 years from the day you plan to apply. Most applications that do not meet the requirements are not approved, and you will not get a full refund of your fee.
- Prepare your documents
Get your identity documents ready, such as your birth certificate or birth record and your passport or travel document. You may need other documents depending on your situation. You also need an identity referee or a witness.
- Apply and pay the fee
You can apply online, or book an appointment to apply at a counter, or send your application by post. The fee is NZ$641 for adults and NZ$320 for children.
- Wait for a decision
Processing usually takes 3 to 14 months. To check progress, choose "Continue saved application" on the official website and log in with RealMe.
- Attend a citizenship ceremony
After approval, your local council holds a ceremony, usually within 2 to 5 months. You get an invitation about 4 weeks before. You must attend within 1 year of approval. You become a citizen only after you say the oath of allegiance (which has religious content) or the affirmation of allegiance (which does not). You receive your citizenship certificate at the ceremony. Children aged 13 and under do not need to attend.
- Apply for a New Zealand passport
Once you have your citizenship certificate, you can apply separately for a New Zealand passport.
What documents do I need?
- Birth certificate or birth record
- Passport or travel document
- An identity referee or a witness
- Proof of English language ability (if English is not your first language)
- Photos
- If you have something to declare (for example, a conviction): a letter explaining what happened, with the related records or documents
- You may need: police clearance from any country you lived in
What should I watch out for?
- Dual citizenship: New Zealand allows dual or multiple citizenship, but some countries do not. Tell DIA about any other citizenship you hold when you apply. Whether you can keep your current citizenship depends on that country's rules. Check with that country's embassy or consulate in New Zealand.
- Travel plans: the application asks about your travel plans for the next 12 months. If you plan to go overseas, you may need to show that New Zealand is your home, for example that you work or study here, own or rent a home here, or have assets here.
- Be honest: if the Citizenship Office finds out something you did not tell them, you may not get citizenship. If it is found out after you become a citizen, your citizenship may be taken away.
- If you are a victim of family violence, this will not affect your application, and you do not need to give information about it.
- If you do not meet a requirement but think your situation is special, contact the Citizenship Office first: 0800 22 51 51 or citizenship@dia.govt.nz.
- If you apply before the citizenship test starts, you will not need to take it. The test location and cost have not been decided yet. The official information says you will probably pay a separate fee for each test, in addition to the application fee.
- This page only summarises the requirements published by DIA. It is not immigration or legal advice. For your own situation, contact the Citizenship Office directly.
What has changed recently?
- The Government confirmed that Aspeq Limited will deliver the citizenship test. From around late 2027, the test is expected to be a requirement for most citizenship by grant applicants: 20 multiple-choice questions in English, and you must get at least 15 right to pass. If you apply before the test becomes a requirement, you will not need to take it. The test location and cost have not been decided yet.Source: govt.nz ↗
- Fees for citizenship applications and related services went up. The citizenship application fee rose by 14.4%. The current fee is NZ$641 for adults and NZ$320 for children.Source: dia.govt.nz ↗
Common questions
How many years after getting PR or a residence visa can I apply for NZ citizenship?
You can apply after you have lived in New Zealand as a resident for at least the past 5 years. Your visa must let you live in New Zealand indefinitely. If you hold a residence visa, any conditions on it must have been met or removed. You must also meet the minimum days in New Zealand.
How many days do I need to be in New Zealand for citizenship, and will overseas trips affect it?
You need at least 240 days in New Zealand in each 12-month period, and 1,350 days in total. Count back 5 years from the day you apply. Overseas trips can affect this. If you are away for more than 4 months in any 12-month period, or more than 15 months in total over 5 years, you may not meet the requirement. Time overseas on Crown service counts as time in New Zealand.
How much is the NZ citizenship application fee, and has it gone up?
The fee is NZ$641 for adults (16 and over) and NZ$320 for children (15 and under). Yes, it has gone up. The citizenship application fee rose by 14.4%. If your application does not meet the requirements, you will not get a full refund.
Do I need IELTS or another English test for New Zealand citizenship?
No, an IELTS test is not the only option. You must be able to hold a basic conversation in English. If English is not your first language, include proof with your application. This can be school certificates or reports, an IELTS test report, a reference letter from your employer, or university transcripts or degree certificates. Your case officer may ask to interview you.
Can I get NZ citizenship if I have traffic fines or a criminal record?
Parking tickets and speed camera fines are not a concern, but some criminal records make approval very unlikely. This includes charges pending, a conviction in the past 3 years, prison in the past 7 years, or a sentence of more than 5 years. With 100 or more demerit points, the Citizenship Office will talk to you. Declare any conviction with a letter and records.
Can I keep my current citizenship, for example my Indian citizenship, if I become a New Zealand citizen?
It depends on your other country's rules. New Zealand allows dual or multiple citizenship, but some countries do not. Check with that country's embassy or consulate in New Zealand. Tell the Department of Internal Affairs about any other citizenship you hold when you apply.
How long does NZ citizenship processing take, and when is the citizenship ceremony?
Processing usually takes 3 to 14 months. After approval, your local council holds a ceremony, usually within 2 to 5 months. You get an invitation about 4 weeks before. You must attend within 1 year of approval. You become a citizen only after you take the oath or affirmation.
When does the new NZ citizenship test start?
The test is expected to start from around late 2027 for most citizenship by grant applicants. It will have 20 multiple-choice questions in English, and you must get at least 15 right. If you apply before the test becomes a requirement, you will not need to take it. Aspeq Limited will deliver the test.
Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.
Where can I check the official information?
- How to apply for NZ citizenshipDepartment of Internal Affairs · govt.nz
- Presence in NZ requirementsDepartment of Internal Affairs · govt.nz
- Character requirementsDepartment of Internal Affairs · govt.nz
- Citizenship ceremoniesDepartment of Internal Affairs · govt.nz
- Citizenship testDepartment of Internal Affairs · govt.nz
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