immigration New Zeeland

  • Travel disrupted by
    the Middle East
    situation
  • Issued: Monday 02 Mar 2026, 07:10 pm NZDT

We have established a priority phone line from Monday to Friday for people to contact us about this specific situation. Call 0508 558 855 (toll free from NZ landlines) or +64 9 914 4100 and press option 7. For information about what options are available to you, check:

Middle East: advice for temporary visa holders in New Zealand affected by travel disruptions

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Where to apply for New Zealand citizenship and a passport

Apply for New Zealand citizenship and a passport through the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Immigration New Zealand does not give people citizenship or passports.

After 5 years of living in New Zealand as a resident, you may be able to get New Zealand citizenship. 

With citizenship and a New Zealand passport, you can travel freely in and out of New Zealand and have access to all the services and economic rights that are reserved for New Zealanders, including access to public health care and services. 

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) manages New Zealand citizenship and passports.

Immigration New Zealand manages visas and New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorities (NZeTAs) to allow people to come to New Zealand, and also monitors travellers arriving in the country, helps migrants and refugees, and in general enforces immigration law.

How to get New Zealand citizenship

Check the DIA New Zealand Government (Govt.nz) website for information about New Zealand citizenship, including the requirements for citizenship, how to apply and whether your children can become New Zealand citizens.

New Zealand citizenship — Govt.nz

Visa status of children born in New Zealand

Contact the Citizenship Office — Govt.nz

How to get a New Zealand passport

Once you have New Zealand citizenship, you can apply for a passport. Go to the ‘Govt.nz’ website to find out how to apply for a New Zealand passport.

Identity and passports — Govt.nz

Contact the Passport Office — Govt.nz