To become a New Zealand citizen by grant in 2026, you generally need at least 5 years on a resident class visa, meet presence-day requirements, show basic English ability, and be of good character. Apply via govt.nz with identity and supporting documents; attend a citizenship ceremony if approved.
Quick answer — who can become a New Zealand citizen in 2026?
To become a New Zealand citizen by grant in 2026, you’ll generally need five years on a resident class visa, the required presence days, basic English, and good character. You apply through govt.nz with identity and supporting documents, then attend a citizenship ceremony once approved. At Remitly, we know citizenship applications can feel complicated, so here’s the short version:
- Five years on a resident class visa, generally, before you can apply.
- At least 1,350 days in New Zealand across those five years, including a minimum of 240 days in each year.
- Basic English and good character are both assessed.
- Applications go through the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) via govt.nz, currently $641 NZD for adults and $320 NZD for children.
- Straightforward applications currently take three to 14 months, and everyone approved attends a citizenship ceremony first.
The 3 pathways to New Zealand citizenship (and which one applies to you)
New Zealand citizenship law recognises three main routes: by birth, by descent, and by grant. If you’re a migrant who has been living here on a resident visa, by grant is almost certainly the pathway that applies to you.
| Pathway | Who it’s for | What’s involved |
| By birth | Born in New Zealand to a citizen or resident parent | Automatic in most cases |
| By descent | Born overseas to a New Zealand citizen parent | Registration of citizenship by descent |
| By grant (naturalisation) | Migrants on a resident class visa, including those who arrived via a route like the Active Investor Plus visa | An application to DIA once you meet residency, presence, English and character requirements |
Most readers looking at this guide fall into the third group — by grant — so that’s what the rest of this article focuses on.
A few common situations:
- You hold a Resident Visa or Permanent Resident Visa and have lived here for around five years.
- You’re an Australian citizen who has lived in New Zealand long enough to qualify.
- You arrived via the New Zealand Skilled Migrant Visa or a Partner Visa New Zealand, and your visa has since become permanent.
- Your child was born overseas while you were a New Zealand citizen.
Citizenship by grant in 2026 — eligibility requirements (step-by-step checklist)
These requirements are set out under the Citizenship Act 1977 and administered by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Before you apply, it helps to work through each requirement in turn:
- Resident class visa for five years — you’ve held a Resident Visa or Permanent Resident Visa for at least five years immediately before applying.
- At least 240 days in New Zealand in each of the five years immediately before applying, and at least 1,350 days in total across that period.
- Good character — assessed through police checks, along with your immigration and tax history in New Zealand.
- Basic English ability — assessed case-by-case, usually from your application and, where needed, an interview.
- Intention to stay — you intend to keep living in New Zealand, or you have close, ongoing ties here.
Five things that commonly delay an application:
- Missing travel dates or gaps in your presence-day record
- A resident visa with travel conditions that have expired
- Outstanding tax returns or unresolved immigration matters
- Supporting documents that don’t match the name or details on your visa
- Applying before you’ve actually reached the five-year mark
How the ‘days in New Zealand’ requirement works
The presence requirement has two parts. You need at least 240 days in New Zealand in each of the five years before you apply, and a total of at least 1,350 days across all five. Falling short in one year doesn’t automatically rule you out, but you’ll need to make it up with extra time in another year.
For example, someone with 220 days in their third year — 20 short of the 240-day mark — would generally need extra time in one of the other four years to still reach 1,350 overall. DIA assesses this against your full five-year travel history, not one year in isolation.
To confirm your presence days, DIA typically looks at:
- Your passport travel stamps and boarding passes
- Your travel history held by Immigration New Zealand
- Any extra evidence you provide if your records show gaps
Resident Visa vs Permanent Resident Visa
Both visa types count towards your five years, but they work differently day to day. A Resident Visa lets you live in New Zealand permanently, but carries a travel condition — you can only leave and return up until a set date on your visa.
A Permanent Resident Visa removes that condition, so you can travel indefinitely. You’ll typically qualify for one after holding a Resident Visa for two years and showing you’ve committed to living here.
Some Resident Visas also carry Section 49 conditions (under Section 49(1) of the Immigration Act 2009) — these aren’t applied to every resident visa, but where they exist, they’re separate from standard travel conditions.
Common examples include a requirement to stay in a specific job for a set period, or to keep an investment in New Zealand. If your visa has a Section 49 condition, you’ll need to have it formally removed before you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.
If you apply for citizenship online, you’ll confirm your identity through RealMe, the government’s identity verification service.
How to apply for New Zealand citizenship (online or paper) — documents, fees, steps
- Check your eligibility using the self-check tool on govt.nz before you start.
- Gather your documents (see the checklist below).
- Set up or use your RealMe login if you’re applying online.
- Complete and submit your application online, in person, or by post.
- Pay the application fee.
- Respond to any requests from DIA for extra information or an interview.
- Attend a citizenship ceremony once your application is approved.
- Apply separately for a New Zealand passport once your citizenship is confirmed — our guide to renewing your New Zealand passport covers the passport process in more detail.
Documents you’ll usually need:
Must-have:
- Your birth certificate or equivalent birth record
- Your current passport or travel document
- Evidence of your presence in New Zealand over the past five years
- An identity referee who can support your application
May be requested, depending on your circumstances:
- Evidence of a name change
- Additional character or immigration history documents if DIA asks for them
| Applicant | Fee (NZD, as at August 2026) |
|---|---|
| Adult (16 and over) | $641 |
| Child (15 and under) | $320 |
Fees increased from 28 August 2026 — check the current fee on govt.nz before you apply, since fees can change.
Before you submit:
- Double-check your presence days add up correctly
- Make sure your visa conditions are current and haven’t expired
- Confirm your documents show consistent names and details
- Have your RealMe login ready if you’re applying online
Processing times, delays, and the citizenship ceremony (what to expect)
DIA publishes current processing timeframes at govt.nz, and these can shift with demand. As a general guide, straightforward applications are currently taking around three to 14 months from submission to decision. Applications that need extra checks, an interview, or more evidence usually take longer.
Common delay factors:
- Gaps or inconsistencies in your travel history
- Outstanding immigration or tax matters
- Incomplete supporting documents
- High application volumes at DIA
If your application is approved, you’ll need to attend a citizenship ceremony before your citizenship is formally confirmed. Ceremonies are usually held in your region, and DIA will let you know your options once you’re approved.
What if you can’t attend? If you can’t make the ceremony you’re offered, contact DIA as soon as you can — most regions run ceremonies regularly, so you can usually move to a later date.
If you’re planning travel around your application, it’s worth allowing extra time either side of your expected decision date, since your citizenship isn’t confirmed until you’ve attended a ceremony.
Looking ahead, the government has confirmed a citizenship knowledge test for grant applicants from the second half of 2027. It doesn’t affect applications made now.
New Zealand citizenship FAQs (2026)
How many days do I need to have spent in New Zealand to apply?
You generally need at least 1,350 days in New Zealand across the five years before you apply, with a minimum of 240 days in each of those years. DIA assesses this against your full travel history, not just a single year.
Do I need to be a permanent resident before I apply for citizenship?
You need a resident class visa — either a Resident Visa or a Permanent Resident Visa — held for at least five years, rather than permanent residence specifically. Both count towards your five years, though a Permanent Resident Visa removes the travel conditions that come with a Resident Visa.
How much does it cost to apply for New Zealand citizenship in 2026?
As at August 2026, the application fee is $641 NZD for adults aged 16 and over, and $320 NZD for children aged 15 and under. Check govt.nz for the current fee before you apply, since fees can change.
How long does it take to process a citizenship application?
Straightforward applications are currently taking roughly three to 14 months, based on DIA’s published timeframes. Applications needing extra checks, an interview, or more documents usually take longer, so it’s worth applying well ahead of any travel plans.
Can I hold dual citizenship as a New Zealand citizen?
New Zealand allows dual and multiple citizenship, so becoming a citizen here doesn’t require giving up your existing one. Whether you can keep it depends on your other country’s rules — see our guide to dual citizenship in New Zealand for more detail.
What does ‘good character’ mean for a citizenship application?
DIA assesses good character through police checks covering your time in New Zealand and overseas, along with your immigration and tax history here. There’s no single fixed test — assessments look at your overall record rather than one factor alone.
What happens after my citizenship application is approved?
You’ll be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony, which is required before your citizenship is formally confirmed. After that, you can apply separately for a New Zealand passport and update your details with government agencies and your bank.
Key takeaways
- Citizenship by grant generally needs five years on a resident class visa, at least 1,350 days in New Zealand with a minimum of 240 days each year, basic English, and good character.
- Applications go through DIA via govt.nz, with a current fee of $641 NZD for adults and $320 NZD for children, as of August 2026.
- Processing currently takes roughly three to 14 months, and a citizenship ceremony is required before citizenship is confirmed.
- New Zealand allows dual citizenship, so you generally won’t need to give up an existing one.
- This guide reflects govt.nz and Department of Internal Affairs information current as of September 2026 — always check govt.nz for the latest requirements and fees before you apply.
Next steps — confirm your eligibility and prepare your evidence
If you think you’re close to qualifying, a good next step is to work through your own presence-day count and gather your documents before you start your application.
- Check your travel history and count your days in New Zealand over the past five years.
- Review your visa type and make sure its conditions are current.
- Gather your birth certificate, passport, and any supporting documents.
- Apply through govt.nz once you’re confident you meet the requirements.
If your situation is more complex — a criminal history, a name change, or long periods overseas — it’s worth talking to a licensed adviser registered with the Immigration Advisers Authority before you apply. Meanwhile, our guide to settling into life in New Zealand covers some of the practical basics for newcomers.
