New Zealand · Descent · Citizenship

New Zealand Registration of Citizenship by Descent

Someone born abroad with a parent who was a New Zealand citizen by birth or grant can register citizenship by descent.

Value scoreCheckingPassport data under review

5-year costCheckingone applicant, not recoverable

DecisionCheckingComparable time under review

Official program page

Value: what the Registration of Citizenship by Descent gives you

Passport reach 25 pts weightChecking

Path to citizenship 25 pts weight100

Work, family, healthcare 20 pts weightChecking

Stay rule 15 pts weightChecking

Tax on foreign income 10 pts weightChecking

Policy stability 5 pts weight60

Passport: visa-free destinations: Checking
Years to permanent residence: Checking
Years to citizenship: ImmediatelyOfficialNew Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Eligible applicants already have citizenship by descent and register the status.
Leads to citizenship: Checking
Can work for a local employer: YesOfficialImmigration New Zealand, checked 2026-11-15A New Zealand citizen can take local employment without a work visa.
Same application for spouse and children: Checking
Public healthcare: YesOfficialHealth New Zealand, checked 2026-11-15New Zealand citizens are eligible for publicly funded health services. Individual services have their own criteria.
Minimum stay per year: Checking
Tax on foreign income: Checking
Dual citizenship allowed: YesOfficialNew Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, checked 2026-11-15New Zealand permits multiple citizenship.
Rule changes, last 24 months: ChangedOfficialNew Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Registration fees increased in August 2026.

Cost: what the Registration of Citizenship by Descent costs over five years

Government fees: $153.79OfficialNew Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, checked 2026-11-15NZD 278 for the standalone adult registration. A passport costs extra. Conversion: NZD 278 to USD at 2026-11-13 reference rates.
Non-refundable contribution: $0OfficialNew Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Registration has no investment or donation condition.
Due diligence: Checking
Compulsory extras, first year: Checking
Renewal fees, first 5 years: $0OfficialNew Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Citizenship registration does not require a permit renewal.
Investment you may get back: Checking
Minimum income per month: Checking
Extra for a spouse and two children: Checking
Typical adviser fees (not in the total): Checking

USD estimates use the 13 November 2026 reference rates of the European Central Bank, Central Bank of Armenia and Central Bank of the UAE, and the Central Bank of Uruguay rate for UYU. The Panamanian balboa uses its official one-to-one parity.

Speed: how long the Registration of Citizenship by Descent takes

Official processing time: Checking
Reported processing time (median): Checking
Approval to card or passport: Checking

Sources

Register as a citizen by descent, New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs. Checked 2026-11-15.
Citizenship fees, New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs. Checked 2026-11-15.
Dual citizenship, New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs. Checked 2026-11-15.
Eligibility for publicly funded health and disability services, Health New Zealand. Checked 2026-11-15.
Hiring people from overseas, Immigration New Zealand. Checked 2026-11-15.

Every figure on this page last reviewed 2026-11-15. General information, not legal advice. Spotted an error? Email us from the contact page.

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