How much does NZ citizenship cost?

The NZ citizenship application fee is NZ$470.20 for adults (16 and over) and NZ$235.10 for children under 16. There may be additional costs for photos, certified documents, translations, and a Permanent Resident Visa if required.

Do I need to pay for a Permanent Resident Visa before applying for citizenship?

Not necessarily. You can apply for citizenship on a standard Resident Visa. However, if you want unrestricted travel during your 5-year qualifying period, you may want a Permanent Resident Visa, which costs approximately NZ$500.

Can I get a refund if my citizenship application is declined?

No, the Department of Internal Affairs does not refund application fees if your citizenship application is declined. Make sure you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.

What payment methods are accepted for the citizenship application?

DIA accepts credit card and debit card payments for online applications. If applying by paper, you can pay by credit card, bank draft, or money order.

Guides/Citizenship fees & costs

NZ citizenship fees and costs

Full breakdown of application fees, hidden costs, and payment methods

Application fees

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) charges a non-refundable fee to process your citizenship application. The fee is set by regulation under the Citizenship Act 1977 and is payable at the time you submit your application.

$470.20

Adult application (16 and over)

$235.10

Child application (under 16)

If you are applying for citizenship for multiple children at the same time as your own application, each child requires a separate application and fee. There is no family discount or bundled rate. These fees are non-refundable even if your application is declined.

Fee comparison table

Below is a summary of all fees you may encounter on the path to citizenship. Not all fees apply to every applicant.

Fee type	Amount (NZD)	Required?
Citizenship application (adult)	$470.20	Yes
Citizenship application (child under 16)	$235.10	Yes, per child
Permanent Resident Visa (if needed)	~$500	Only if upgrading from RV
Passport photos (set of 2)	$15 - $25	Yes
Certified copies of documents	$5 - $25 each	Usually required
Document translations (NAATI)	$50 - $200 per document	If documents not in English
Travel movements request (INZ)	Free	Recommended
NZ passport (after approval)	$199 adult / $115 child	Optional but recommended

Fees are approximate and subject to change. Check the DIA website for current amounts.

Hidden costs to budget for

Beyond the application fee itself, there are several additional costs that applicants often overlook when budgeting for their citizenship application.

Passport-style photos
You need two recent passport-style photos. These typically cost $15-$25 from a pharmacy or photo shop. Photos must meet DIA specifications for size and background.
Certified document copies
DIA requires certified copies of your passport, birth certificate, and other identity documents. A Justice of the Peace can certify documents for free, but some applicants use solicitors who charge $5-$25 per document.
Document translations
Any documents not in English must be translated by a qualified translator. NAATI-accredited translations typically cost $50-$200 per document depending on length and language.
Police certificates
If you have lived in another country for 12 months or more since turning 17, you may need a police certificate from that country. Costs vary by country, from free to over $100.
Travel to attend ceremony
After approval, you must attend a citizenship ceremony in person. If you do not live near the ceremony location, you may need to budget for travel costs.

Permanent Resident Visa fee

You do not strictly need a Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) to apply for citizenship. You can apply on a standard Resident Visa, provided you meet the presence and good character requirements.

However, a standard Resident Visa has travel conditions that may expire. If you need to travel freely during your 5-year qualifying period, upgrading to a PRV (approximately NZ$500) removes travel restrictions and gives you indefinite re-entry rights.

If you hold an RV2021 (2021 Resident Visa), your travel conditions are valid for a set period. Check your visa conditions to see if a PRV upgrade is necessary before your travel conditions expire. See our Resident Visa vs PRV guide for more detail.

Payment methods

How you pay depends on whether you apply online or by paper.

Application method	Payment options
Online (DIA website)	Credit card, debit card (Visa or Mastercard)
Paper application	Credit card, bank draft, or money order

DIA does not accept cash, personal cheques, or direct bank transfers for citizenship applications. Payment is required at the time of submission and your application will not be processed until payment is received.

Common questions

Can I get a refund if my application is declined?
No. The application fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. DIA recommends ensuring you meet all eligibility criteria before applying.
Is there a fee for the citizenship ceremony?
No. The citizenship ceremony is free. You do not pay anything additional once your application has been approved.
Do fees change over time?
Yes. Fees are set by regulation and can be updated periodically. Check the DIA website for the most current fee schedule before applying.
What is the total realistic cost for an adult applicant?
Budget approximately $500-$750 for the full process: $470.20 application fee plus photos, certified copies, and any translations. Add ~$500 for a PRV if needed, and $199 for a passport after approval.

Check your eligibility date