New Zealand is a popular destination for foreigners seeking to live and settle as citizens. Besides working or studying, many foreign nationals look forward to becoming New Zealand citizens. To live in New Zealand permanently, you need a resident visa. To get a resident visa, you usually need to start with a temporary visa that will let you work, study, or own a business.

A Permanent Resident Visa is usually the next step after you’re granted a Resident Visa. With a Permanent Resident Visa, you can travel in and out of New Zealand as much as you like. After meeting certain requirements, including at least 5 years’ residence in New Zealand, you can apply for New Zealand citizenship.

There are 3 main types of New Zealand citizenship: by birth, by descent and by grant.

Citizenship by birth

If you were born in New Zealand before 1 January 2006, you are a New Zealand citizen by birth. However, if you were born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006, you are only a citizen if, when you were born, at least 1 of your parents was a New Zealand citizen, or had a visa that allowed them to reside in New Zealand indefinitely.

Citizenship by descent

You might be eligible for citizenship by descent if you were born overseas, and have at least 1 parent who was a New Zealand citizen by birth or grant when you were born.

If you are a citizen by descent, you need to register your citizenship to make it official and to get a passport.

Citizenship by grant

You might be eligible for citizenship by grant if you were born outside New Zealand, or in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006 to parents who were not New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

Requirements for NZ citizenship

Before you apply, check that you meet the requirements to become a New Zealand citizen. Most important requirements will require you to show you have been physically present in New Zealand for a certain amount of time and that you intend to continue living here. You need to be able to hold a basic conversation in English to get New Zealand citizenship.

Must have lived for at least five years

If you have a residence visa, any conditions on the visa must be met or cancelled. For example, if your visa was granted under the parent category, the conditions may be for 5 or 10 years. You must check that these conditions are met or cancelled before applying for New Zealand citizenship. If you already have a permanent resident visa, you do not have conditions.

Final step is to get a New Zealand passport once you become a citizen. Once you are a citizen, you can apply for your New Zealand passport through a separate process.