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Pathway

New Zealand Citizenship by Grant

New Zealand Citizenship
Pathway overview

At a glance

New Zealand citizenship usually requires five years of qualifying residence, including at least 1,350 days in the country and 240 days in each year. You also need basic English, good character, knowledge of citizenship responsibilities and an intention to keep living there or meet a specified exception. Citizenship requires a separate application.

Residence status
Permission to stay indefinitely throughout the qualifying five years
Days in New Zealand
At least 1,350 total, including 240 in each of the five 12-month periods
English
Ability to hold a basic conversation

Summary

People entitled to live in New Zealand indefinitely can usually apply for citizenship after a 5-year presence period, with at least 1,350 days in New Zealand in total and at least 240 days in each of the 5 individual 12-month periods. English, good character, civic understanding, and an intention to continue living in New Zealand are also required.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

During the 5 years immediately before applying, the applicant must have been entitled under immigration law to remain in New Zealand indefinitely. Across that period, the normal physical-presence requirement is:

Any conditions attached to a Resident Visa must also have been met or removed before applying.

Time on a temporary work, student, or visitor visa does not normally count as time entitled to remain indefinitely. Travel records should be calculated to the exact date you plan to apply because a single long absence can cause one 12-month block to fail even when the 1,350-day total is met.

An adult applicant must also:

Children and Samoan citizens can be assessed under different rules. The law lets the Minister make exceptions in some unusual or hardship cases, but approval of an exception is not guaranteed.

A citizenship test is planned for late 2027. It is not currently required; applications filed before it takes effect will not need the test.

Applying for citizenship after living in New Zealand
  1. Check five years of status and travel records Meet both the overall day count and the minimum in each 12-month period.
  2. Prepare your application and supporting evidence Check English, character, identity, and future plans.
  3. Complete the required ceremony after approval Apply for a New Zealand passport after becoming a citizen.

Five calendar years in New Zealand alone do not meet all the citizenship requirements.

What This Route Allows

After approval and completion of any required citizenship ceremony, oath, or affirmation, the applicant becomes a New Zealand citizen. They can apply for a New Zealand passport, vote when eligible, enter New Zealand as of right, and normally pass citizenship by descent to a future child born overseas.

New Zealand allows dual or multiple citizenship, but applicants should check whether another country restricts or removes its citizenship.

What This Route Is Not

This is not automatic after 5 calendar years in the country and it is not based only on holding a Permanent Resident Visa. The day counts, immigration status on those days, English, character, and future intention are independent requirements.

Approval of the application is not itself a passport, and most approved adults do not become citizens until the required ceremony step is completed.

Next Steps

  1. Use the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) presence calculator or self-check with the proposed application date.
  2. Compare travel records with passports and INZ records; do not estimate absences.
  3. Gather birth and identity documents, all passports or travel documents, name-change records, and an acceptable identity referee or witness.
  4. Prepare English and character information and disclose convictions or immigration issues accurately.
  5. Apply online, in person, or by post using the current DIA process.
  6. Attend the ceremony if required, then apply separately for a passport.

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Other routes in New Zealand.

Sources