Updated March 2026
Check when you can apply for New Zealand citizenship
Free calculator for residence class visa holders. Enter your visa grant date and travel history to see your eligibility date.
See your eligibility date
The official DIA calculator only works if you already qualify. Ours tells you when you will be eligible, even if that date is months away.
Track your travel days
Add your trips outside New Zealand. See how many days you can still travel this year without affecting your eligibility.
Year-by-year breakdown
View your progress across each 12-month period. Check whether you meet the 240-day annual minimum for each year.
Citizenship presence requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total days in NZ | At least 1,350 days in the 5 years before you apply |
| Annual minimum | At least 240 days in each 12-month period |
| Maximum time overseas | No more than 125 days outside NZ in any single year |
| Early credit | Up to 125 days before your visa was granted can count toward Year 1 |
| Visa requirement | Must hold a residence class visa (RV2021, SMC, Partner, etc.) |
Source: Citizenship Act 1977 and Department of Internal Affairs
2021 Resident Visa holders
Over 165,000 people were granted residence through the one-off 2021 Resident Visa from March 2022. These visa holders will begin reaching the 5-year citizenship eligibility mark from early 2027.
How it works
Select your visa type and enter the date it was granted
Supports RV2021, Skilled Migrant, Partner, Parent, Investor, and other residence visas.
Add any trips you have taken outside New Zealand
Enter departure and return dates. Skip this if you have not travelled.
See your results
Your eligibility date, year-by-year breakdown, travel budget, and any warnings.
How this differs from the DIA calculator
The official DIA presence calculator checks if you qualify right now. If you do not yet meet the requirements, it returns an error. This tool fills that gap.
| Feature | DIA | This tool |
|---|---|---|
| Shows future eligibility date | No | Yes |
| Works if not yet eligible | No | Yes |
| Year-by-year breakdown | No | Yes |
| Travel budget tracking | No | Yes |
| Requires passport number | Yes | No |
| Stores personal data | Yes | No |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
About New Zealand citizenship by grant
To be eligible for New Zealand citizenship by grant, you must hold a residence class visa and meet the physical presence requirements under the Citizenship Act 1977. You need at least 1,350 days of physical presence in New Zealand during the 5 years before your application, with at least 240 days in each 12-month period.
The 2021 Resident Visa was a one-off pathway for migrants affected by COVID-19. Approvals began from March 2022, meaning these visa holders will start reaching the 5-year citizenship mark from early 2027. DIA has indicated it expects a significant increase in citizenship applications during this period.
Other requirements include being of good character, having sufficient knowledge of spoken English, and intending to continue residing in New Zealand. The current application fee is NZ$470.20 for adults.
This tool provides estimates only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. We are not licensed immigration advisers. Always verify your eligibility with the Department of Internal Affairs before applying. All calculations happen in your browser — no personal data is collected or stored.