IMMINZ · IMMIGRATION GUIDE
NZ citizenship: review eligibility before applying
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What to check first
- Review your qualifying residence and physical presence in New Zealand.
- Check English, character and intention-to-live requirements.
- Use the appropriate requirements for adults or children; do not assume every family member qualifies together.
Prepare for a useful first conversation
Prepare a residence and travel timeline, identity information and any name-change history. Explain extended periods overseas early in the discussion.
A common question
Does a Permanent Resident Visa automatically make me a citizen?
No. Citizenship is a separate application assessed under its own requirements.
Prepare your application file
- Identity history: passport, birth information and legal name changes. Check that records can be linked consistently.
- Residence and travel: prepare accurate arrival and departure dates and the visa history covering the qualifying period.
- Personal requirements: review English, character and intention to live in New Zealand, using the separate rules for any children.
A point worth checking early
Residence status and physical presence are different checks. Do not simply count five calendar years from a visa grant or assume the whole family qualifies on the same date.
Our published service fee
$1,500
This is the fee displayed on our service page. Confirm the scope and applicable costs before engaging us. Government charges, where applicable, are separate. Official processing estimates can change and are not guaranteed completion dates.
Discuss the support you need
Ask us to review application readiness and supporting documents. Citizenship decisions are made by the Department of Internal Affairs, not INZ.
We will confirm the work included and the applicable fees before you engage us. The checklist is a starting point; the documents required depend on your circumstances.
Related guides
Explore relevant options; moving between visas is not automatic. Each route has its own requirements.