Check your pathway
Identify whether your situation is citizenship by grant, birth or descent.
Open next step →From resident to citizen
The New Zealand citizenship journey
A simple map from checking your pathway through application, ceremony and passport.
Journey last reviewed: 7 August 2026
Check resident and presence requirements
For the standard adult grant pathway, check the five-year resident requirement and presence days.
Open next step →Prepare documents and referee
Get your birth record, passport, photo, referee or witness and any extra evidence ready.
Open next step →Wait for assessment
Track progress, respond to requests and use current DIA processing times.
Open next step →Attend your citizenship ceremony
Make the oath or affirmation if a ceremony is required and receive your citizenship certificate.
Open next step →Apply for a New Zealand passport
After you are a citizen and have your certificate, the passport application is a separate process.
Open next step →Use it like an app
Add NZ Citizenship Check to your phone
Keep the calculator one tap away from your Home Screen. No App Store or Google Play download is required. Installation adapts to the browser and device you are using.
Installs as a web app with its own Home Screen icon and standalone window.