How to Apply for Dual Citizenship in New Zealand

New Zealand permits dual citizenship, meaning you can hold NZ citizenship alongside citizenship of another country. Here’s how the application works.

Steps to apply

1. Complete the application form — Choose between adult, child, or Samoan application forms (each has its own form on the Department of Internal Affairs website)
2. Find a witness — Must be an NZ passport holder (16+, who has known you for 1 year, and is not a family member), or alternatively a Department of Internal Affairs officer
3. Submit your application — In person by appointment, or by post with tracking
4. Pay the processing fee:
   • Adults: NZD 560
   • Children: NZD 280 (Fees as of November 2025 — confirm current rates on the Department of Internal Affairs site before lodging)

Important prerequisites

• Check your other country allows dual citizenship before applying. Some countries (notably Singapore, Japan, India, China) restrict or prohibit dual citizenship — confirm with your country of origin’s law before lodging your NZ application
• You need to meet NZ residency requirements before applying. Generally this means a defined period of physical presence in NZ on a residence-class visa
• A Permanent Resident Visa is typically a prerequisite for the citizenship application

Practical next step

The pathway from initial visa through Permanent Resident Visa to citizenship is multi-year. Map out the order of operations (residency time accumulation + PRV grant + citizenship eligibility window) before assuming a timeline. The DIA citizenship page has the current waiting times and process detail.