New Zealand
ISO2: NZ
New Zealand citizenship by grant (naturalisation through residence): 5-year residence/presence requirement (240 days per year and 1,350 total days), entitlement to reside indefinitely (Permanent Resident Visa not required), basic English conversation requirement, good character and intention to continue living in NZ, submission via DIA (online or public counters), and dual citizenship policy (as of 2026).
Passport
Citizenship by residence
- Minimum years of residence
- 5.0
- Requires permanent residence
- No
- Last updated
- Feb. 28, 2026
- Notes
- Citizenship by grant generally requires the applicant to be entitled to reside indefinitely in New Zealand and to have held “New Zealand residence” during the 5 years immediately before application, meeting physical presence thresholds (at least 240 days in each 12-month period and 1,350 days total across the 5 years). Applicants must also be of good character, be able to hold a basic conversation in English (everyday situations), understand responsibilities/privileges of citizenship, and intend to continue living in New Zealand. “New Zealand residence” can include a current residence permit, residence visa or permanent resident visa; guidance also references Australian citizens/permanent residents in this definition. Permanent Resident Visa is not generally required before applying for citizenship by grant.
- Dual citizenship
-
Dual citizenship: Allowed
Renunciation required: NoSpecial cases: New Zealand allows dual or multiple citizenship; applicants should check whether their other country permits dual citizenship.
- Notes for dual citizenship
- New Zealand does not generally require renunciation for citizenship by grant; constraints usually come from the applicant’s other nationality laws.
Qualifying residence permits
Permanent Resident Visa (INZ)
Included in “New Zealand residence”; however, PRV is not generally required before applying for citizenship by grant.
Counts
Residence permit (legacy term in guidance)
The adult application guidance includes “current residence permit” within “New Zealand residence” definition.
Counts
Residence Visa (INZ) / residence status
Citizenship by grant requires “New Zealand residence” during the relevant 5-year period; residence visa/residence status is included in the definition.
Counts
Temporary visas (work/study/visitor) only
Temporary status alone does not meet “New Zealand residence” (entitlement to reside indefinitely) for citizenship by grant.
Doesn’t count
Required documents
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Birth certificate (or equivalent)
Original birth certificate or the issuing country’s equivalent document.
|
Mandatory | Original birth certificate or equivalent is listed as required for the adult application. |
|
Evidence of NZ residence & travel history
Evidence supporting the residence/presence calculation (residence status and travel/absence history as assessed by DIA/INZ records).
|
Mandatory | DIA assesses residence/presence rules across the last 5 years; supporting evidence may be requested/verified via records. |
|
NZ citizenship by grant (adult application)
Application for New Zealand citizenship by grant (adult, 16+), including presence, character and language requirements.
|
Mandatory | Citizenship by grant (adult) application; can be completed online or by paper form (DIA). |
|
Passport photos (2, recent)
Two identical colour photos, recent (commonly stated as less than 6 months old).
|
Mandatory | Two photos are required; paper applications typically require witness endorsement on photos. |
|
Passport / travel document
Current passport(s) or most recent passport/travel document if expired.
|
Mandatory | Current passport(s) or most recent passport/travel document if expired is listed as required. |
|
Witness / identity referee declaration
A qualifying witness (paper) or identity referee (online) to support the application.
|
Mandatory | A witness (paper) or identity referee (online) is required to support identity checks. |
|
English ability evidence (everyday)
If English is not the first language: evidence the applicant can speak English in everyday situations (basic conversation).
|
Optional | Required where English is not the first language; standard is basic conversation / everyday situations. |
|
Name change evidence
If applicable: marriage/civil union/divorce/adoption or legal name change documents that explain all names used.
|
Optional | Needed if the applicant has used other names (e.g., marriage/divorce/name change/adoption). |
|
Overseas police clearance (if required)
Police clearance(s) may be required depending on circumstances (e.g., time spent overseas).
|
Optional | May be required depending on circumstances; DIA will assess character and may request clearances. |
Submission offices
Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) – Citizenship Office (online)
Online
Online application start for citizenship by grant (DIA portal).
DIA – Citizenship Office public counter (Auckland)
NATIONAL
· Auckland
Apply in person by appointment at one of the public counters (Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch).
DIA – Citizenship Office public counter (Christchurch)
NATIONAL
· Christchurch
Apply in person by appointment at one of the public counters (Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch).
DIA – Citizenship Office public counter (Wellington)
NATIONAL
· Wellington
Apply in person by appointment at one of the public counters (Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch).
Official sources
Application for NZ citizenship by grant – Adult (PDF, govt.nz)
Government
Official adult form/guide notes (last updated 21 Nov 2025): presence thresholds, English standard, and document checklist.
en
Immigration New Zealand – Permanent Resident Visa (note: PRV not required for citizenship)
Government
States that for most people after 5 years as a resident you may be able to get citizenship and you do not need a Permanent Resident Visa first.
en
New Zealand Government (govt.nz) – Apply for NZ citizenship (in-person counters)
Government
Application submission guidance including appointments at Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch public counters.
en
New Zealand Government (govt.nz) – Dual citizenship
Government
States New Zealand allows dual or multiple citizenship (other country rules may differ).
en
New Zealand Government (govt.nz) – Language requirements for NZ citizenship
Government
States the English requirement is ability to hold a basic conversation; notes special situations (e.g., Samoa/children).
en
New Zealand Government (govt.nz) – Presence requirements for citizenship by grant
Government
Explains physical presence rules (240 days each year and 1,350 days total across 5 years) and intention to continue living in NZ.
en
Citizenship Act 1977 (New Zealand Legislation)
Law / Regulation
Primary legislation for citizenship; includes statutory requirements and related provisions.
en
Latest ranking snapshot
As of Feb. 28, 2026
- Travel freedom183.00
- Residency rights1.00
- Quality of life188.50
- Economic freedom78.10
- Tax friendliness30.00
Source CSV: passport_composite_ranking_top150.csv. Mappings: visa_free->travel_freedom_score, residency_rights_n->residency_rights_score, net_salary_usd->disposable_income_after_tax_score, qol_index->quality_of_life_score, taxation_score->tax_friendliness_score.