There are several ways to obtain New Zealand citizenship:

• By the right of the origin – to be born on New Zealand territory;
• Be born in the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, Samoa or Australia. Citizens of these territories are not automatically issued with a passport, but it is possible to apply for it in the benefits system;
• If at least one parent is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident;
• Through naturalization, having lived in the country for at least 5 years. Moreover, it is necessary to stay in New Zealand for 8 months or more every year.

Applicants for naturalization way of obtaining citizenship will be required to have a basic command of the English language, will be tested in an interview, demonstrate future plans for life in New Zealand through work, study or real estate, and be of good behavior.

Citizenship Services may contact you if a police check shows that you have:

• 100 or more penalty points on the driver's license;
• Other fines or violations in New Zealand or other countries;
• Committed crimes and other offenses.

Applicants may be denied New Zealand citizenship:

• With charges filed in the country;
• Convicted of a crime within the last 3 years;
• Those, who have been in prison for any time during the last 7 years;
• Have ever been sentenced to imprisonment for more than 5 years.

Children under the age of 16 applying for New Zealand citizenship are exempt from the requirements. However, applicants aged 14-15 must be able to speak English (at a basic level), have no serious problems with the law and remain in New Zealand after obtaining citizenship.

The following categories can immigrate to New Zealand in order to apply for citizenship in the future:

• For students – obtaining a student visa, studying and further employment after graduation;
• For highly qualified specialists – obtaining a special visa based on your qualifications and work experience:

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa – a visa created for people (students who complete a full course of study at a private or higher educational institution for at least 2 academic years or a full course of study in New Zealand  that ends with obtaining a qualification; skilled workers) who have skills to contribute to New Zealand's economic growth. Before Immigration New Zealand can invite you to apply, you will first need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), which includes information about your work in New Zealand, work experience and qualifications. If your expression of interest is successful, you will be offered the opportunity to apply to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely.

The stages of obtaining a visa consist of:

1.Self-evaluation

Check your eligibility and calculate your points  

2.Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

A points-based system is used to evaluate expressions of interest. Submit EOI online.

3.Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you score 160 or more, you will be selected from the EOI pool and may be sent an ITA.

4.Apply for residence. Please note the fees and information about the offices. Apply for residence on a form sent by Immigration Service of New Zealand.

5.Get a visa

If successful, you will be issued a residence visa.

• Relocation of an employee with an invitation from a local employer or organization;
• For young specialists under 35 years of age with high qualifications – a visa is initially issued to look for a job in New Zealand. Issuance of visas is subject to quotas;
• For businessmen – you need to demonstrate the business plan of the future company or buy a ready-made business in New Zealand;
• For investors – you need to invest a certain amount in the country's economy and get the right to permanent residence in a few years.

After choosing the appropriate immigration method, the candidate is issued a specific type of visa, which can later be changed to a New Zealand permanent resident visa. Most often, the PMP is issued after 2 years of residence with a temporary resident visa.

Submitting an application for citizenship

After checking all the necessary requirements, the candidate must prepare documents confirming the identity. It can be a passport, birth certificate or travel document. Photographs of the applicant taken no more than 6 months ago will also be required. Depending on the situation, other additional documents may be required.

You need to apply and pay the citizenship fee.

It takes 9 to 14 months to find out if your application for New Zealand citizenship has been approved. Once approved, the applicant will have to attend a citizenship ceremony. Children under the age of 13 receive a citizenship certificate without attending a ceremony.

After the ceremony, the new citizen can apply for a New Zealand passport.

New Zealand citizenship gives the right to:

• Live in the country indefinitely;
• Travel abroad with a New Zealand passport;
• Vote and run for parliament or local self-government;
• Have full access to education;
• Have full economic and social rights;
• Represent New Zealand in sporting events.

In turn, a citizen must comply with the laws of the state, be sure to register on the electoral roll and behave as a responsible citizen of New Zealand.

Dual citizenship. In New Zealand, it is allowed to have a second citizenship: it is not necessary to renounce the first citizenship when obtaining the citizenship of the country.