Updated March 2026
NZ Presence Calculator
Count your physical presence days in New Zealand for citizenship eligibility. Check whether you meet the 1,350-day total and 240-day annual requirements.
What is the NZ presence requirement?
To qualify for New Zealand citizenship by grant, you must demonstrate that you have been physically present in New Zealand for a minimum number of days. These requirements are set out in the Citizenship Act 1977.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) assesses your physical presence across the 5-year period immediately before your citizenship application date.
| Requirement | Minimum days | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Total presence | 1,350 days | Across all 5 years |
| Annual minimum | 240 days | Each 12-month period |
| Maximum absence per year | 125 days | Each 12-month period |
| Maximum total absence | 450 days | Across all 5 years |
How our presence calculator works
1. Enter your visa details
Select your visa type and the date it was granted by Immigration New Zealand.
2. Add travel history
Enter each trip outside New Zealand with departure and return dates.
3. See your presence days
Get a year-by-year breakdown of days present, days absent, and your eligibility date.
How this differs from the DIA presence calculator
The official DIA presence calculator (available on govt.nz) checks whether you currently meet the requirements. If you do not yet qualify, it simply returns an error without telling you when you will be eligible.
Our calculator fills that gap. It tells you your projected eligibility date, shows how many travel days you have remaining in each 12-month period, and gives you a complete year-by-year breakdown of your presence history.
Unlike the DIA tool, our calculator does not require your passport number or any personal identification. All calculations happen in your browser — no data is stored or transmitted.
How DIA counts your presence days
DIA uses your passport entry and exit stamps to calculate days of physical presence. The day you depart New Zealand and the day you arrive back are both counted as days outside NZ.
- •Days are counted from midnight to midnight (NZ time)
- •The day you leave NZ counts as a day outside NZ
- •The day you return to NZ counts as a day outside NZ
- •Transit through NZ airports without clearing customs does not count as presence
- •12-month periods are calculated from your visa grant date anniversary, not calendar years
- •Up to 125 days immediately before your visa grant can count as early credit
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to be in NZ for citizenship?
You need at least 1,350 days of physical presence in New Zealand during the 5 years before your application. You also need at least 240 days in each 12-month period within those 5 years.
What happens if I'm short on presence days?
If you don't yet meet the requirements, you need to wait. Our calculator shows your projected eligibility date based on your current travel history and helps you plan future travel to stay on track.
Do days before my visa was granted count?
Yes, up to 125 days of physical presence immediately before your residence visa was granted can count as early credit toward your first 12-month period.
Does the DIA presence calculator show my eligibility date?
No. The official DIA calculator only tells you if you currently qualify. If you don't yet meet the requirements, it returns an error. Our tool shows when you will be eligible.
Is my data stored when I use this calculator?
No. All calculations happen entirely in your browser. No personal data, travel history, or visa information is sent to any server or stored anywhere.