The oldest applications we're starting to assess were received in November 2023.
If your application was received after November 2023, the Department of Internal Affairs cannot provide any further information on the status of your application.
These timeframes were updated in November 2024.
The time taken to process an application in the past is no guarantee of how long it may take in future.
Application outcome
95% of applicants receive an outcome within 16 months of submitting their application.
Application process
94% of applicants are granted citizenship within 18 months of submitting their application.
We collect data on the status of New Zealand citizenship applications by the date they were received:
All citizenship applications submitted to the Department undergo automated checks as part of a preliminary assessment.
These checks sort applications based on the amount of manual intervention required by a case officer. This preliminary check allows us to process the majority of applications quickly.
Why some applications are processed faster than others
The time it takes to process an application can differ, depending on:
the applicant’s individual circumstances
how much of their application we can assess using automated checks.
We have more information about the differences in citizenship processing timeframes, including an explanation of the workstreams we use to process applications here:
When an application is unable to be assessed by automated checks
If part of an application is unable to be assessed by the automated checks, a case officer needs to look at it to understand why.
Once we have looked over the application, we will contact you if we need any additional information. We are otherwise unable to share the results of automated checks.
There is no urgent citizenship service
Although there is no urgent citizenship service, in rare circumstances we may be able to assess your application out of the standard queue order. However, this does not affect the time required for completing all the necessary checks.
A request for urgency is usually only approved if you are in a situation out of your control and you have no other option.
All requests for urgent processing must be accompanied by documented evidence as outlined below.
The Citizenship Office will consider whether you need citizenship:
to travel for a medical emergency
to represent New Zealand
for work or deployment
to stand for election
for humanitarian reasons.
Requests for urgent processing are not approved for:
financial reasons, such as not wanting to pay for a passport from your home country or a visa from another country
a preference to travel on a New Zealand passport
any other personal preference.
While your application is being processed, make sure your existing overseas passport or travel document is valid. If it is due to expire within the next year, you may need to renew it in case of urgent travel. This also applies to any relevant visas issued by Immigration New Zealand.
Medical emergencies
You may meet this criterion if you need to leave the country to help a sick relative, or get medical treatment you cannot get here. It must be critical, and there must be no other option.
If you believe you meet this criterion, you must write a letter explaining why you need New Zealand citizenship urgently. Include evidence for your reasons. This might be in the form of:
medical letters indicating a critical need to travel
confirmation of overseas medical appointments
confirmation that treatment is not available in New Zealand
confirmation that you cannot travel on your current document
You may meet this criterion if you are representing New Zealand in sport or another activity, and need citizenship to take part in an upcoming event.
If you believe you meet this criterion, you must write a letter explaining why you need New Zealand citizenship urgently. Include evidence for your reasons. This might be in the form of:
a letter confirming your selection for the event
confirmation of the event date
the event or sporting body rules showing citizenship is a requirement.
You may meet this criterion if you need citizenship to start a new job, or continue to serve or deploy with the New Zealand Defence Force.
If you believe you meet this criterion, you must write a letter explaining why you need New Zealand citizenship urgently. Include evidence for your reasons. This might be in the form of:
confirmation citizenship is a requirement for the job
confirmation you have a current job offer and citizenship is the only requirement not met
confirmation of the date by which citizenship is needed.
Requests will not be approved to re-locate for work overseas.
Requests for applicants who are current members of the New Zealand Defence Force may be eligible for urgent processing if they require citizenship to continue their service or deployment. Requests for applicants who are wanting to join the New Zealand Defence Force will not be approved.
You may meet this criterion if you are standing in an upcoming election. You must write a letter explaining why you need New Zealand citizenship urgently and include evidence for your reasons. This might be in the form of:
confirmation of your registration to stand for election
You may meet the criterion for humanitarian reasons if you are in a position that you have no control over.
If you believe you meet this criterion, you must write a letter explaining why you need New Zealand citizenship urgently. Include evidence for your reasons. This might be in the form of:
confirmation that you cannot travel on your current document
