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.
Official figures
- 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
Official sources
- 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
Read the full guide: Apply for New Zealand citizenship →
People also ask
- How many years after getting PR or a residence visa can I apply for NZ citizenship?
- How many days do I need to be in New Zealand for citizenship, and will overseas trips affect it?
- How much is the NZ citizenship application fee, and has it gone up?
- Do I need IELTS or another English test for New Zealand citizenship?
- Can I keep my current citizenship, for example my Indian citizenship, if I become a New Zealand citizen?
- How long does NZ citizenship processing take, and when is the citizenship ceremony?
Answers are based on official New Zealand government pages. Check the official source before you act. This is not immigration, legal or tax advice.
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