DIA Citizenship Fees Rise: New NZ Costs from Nov 2025

New Zealand citizenship fees are rising 19% from 21 November 2025 — the first increase in 22 years. The adult grant fee climbs from $470.20 to $560, and the child under-16 fee from $235.10 to $280. Applicants lodged before the change pay the old rates; those ready to file can lock in savings while benefiting from faster processing times.

Adult citizenship fee (new): $560 ·
Adult citizenship fee (old): $470.20 ·
Child under 16 fee (new): $280 ·
Fee increase date: 21 November 2025 ·
First rise in: 22 years

How much does citizenship cost in New Zealand

If you’re applying for citizenship by grant, you now pay $560 as an adult and $280 for a child under 16. Both figures took effect 21 November 2025, according to the New Zealand Government’s official fee schedule. That’s a 19% jump across the board — the first increase in 22 years, as confirmed by the Department of Internal Affairs in their November 2025 press release.

These fees cover the full cost of delivering citizenship services — the DIA has confirmed that citizenship is entirely fee-funded, with no taxpayer subsidy. For Samoan citizens born before 1949, the grant fee sits at $243 under a separate provision in New Zealand nationality law.

Adult grant fee increase

The adult fee went from $470.20 to $560 — a hike of $89.80. 1News reported that the increase stems from rising operational costs, including passport production and processing infrastructure. The New Zealand Government has stated the adjustment ensures fees cover the actual cost of delivering citizenship services sustainably.

Child under 16 fee

Children under 16 now pay $280 for citizenship by grant, up from $235.10. The increase mirrors the adult rate at approximately 19%. Families applying with dependent children should factor this into their total application budget.

Citizenship by descent

Those applying through descent pay $243, up from $204.40 — also a 19% increase. This applies to applicants claiming New Zealand citizenship by birth descent, a separate pathway from the standard grant process.

Applying for NZ citizenship from permanent residency

Before you can apply for citizenship by grant, you need to hold permanent residency status. Immigration New Zealand specifies that applicants must have been permanent residents for at least five years and meet presence requirements. The citizenship application itself goes through the Department of Internal Affairs.

If you’re already on the permanent residency path, the timing of your citizenship application matters. Applications lodged before 21 November 2025 pay the old fees — $470.20 for adults. If your residency is confirmed soon, you could lock in the lower rate. But don’t rush for savings if your documents aren’t ready: incomplete applications get returned, and you’d need to re-lodge with the new fee anyway.

Eligibility basics

Under the Citizenship Act 1977, foreign nationals over 16 may apply after five or more years of residence with indefinite permission. Key requirements include five years as a permanent resident, meeting character standards, and intent to continue living in New Zealand. Samoan citizens entering after 14 September 1982 can apply without the standard residence minimum if they hold indefinite permission.

Fee implications

The new fees apply to any application lodged on or after 21 November 2025 — regardless of when you received your permanent residency. There’s no grandfather clause for earlier residency holders. The fee is due at the time of application, so plan accordingly if you want to submit before the increase.

What are NZ citizenship requirements

Beyond the five-year permanent residency threshold, applicants must satisfy presence requirements and character checks. The standard rule involves at least 1,350 days total in New Zealand across the five-year residency period, with a minimum of 240 days in each year — though you should verify current requirements directly with the DIA, as rules can shift.

Residency period

Five years of permanent residency is the baseline. This isn’t five years on any visa — it specifically requires holding permanent residence status for the full period. If you upgraded from another visa category to permanent residency partway through, your clock starts from when that permanent status was granted.

Character checks

All applicants over 16 undergo character assessment. Serious criminal convictions can result in refusal, though each case is reviewed individually. The DIA looks at the nature of offending, time elapsed, and whether you have ties to New Zealand that weigh in your favour.

NZ citizenship timeframe

Current processing averages 69 days for a decision, according to the Beehive.govt.nz release on citizenship processing. That’s a steep drop from October 2023, when the average wait hit 180 days. The improvement tracks a broader push to clear a backlog that peaked at 37,690 applications in April 2022 — that figure has since fallen to just over 11,000.

Once approved, you’re not done. Successful applicants attend a citizenship ceremony, take the oath or affirmation, and receive their certificate. The wait between approval and ceremony can stretch up to four months in some areas, depending on local ceremony scheduling. Fees are due at the point of application, not at approval.

Processing times

The New Zealand Government’s official timeframes state that 91% of applicants receive an outcome within three months, and 91% are granted citizenship within eight months of application. These figures represent significant progress from the backlog-heavy years of 2022–2023.

Fee payment timing

Fees must be paid when you submit your application. If the new rates take effect while your application is in progress, you don’t pay the difference — you’re locked in at the rate when you lodged. This makes it worth submitting as early as possible if you’re close to ready.

NZ citizenship application form

The citizenship application form is available through the Department of Internal Affairs website. You’ll find PDF versions and online lodgement options depending on your circumstances. The form requires details about your residency history, identity documents, and character information.

Once you’re a citizen, you’ll likely want a New Zealand passport — that’s a separate application with its own fee schedule. The govt.nz citizenship hub has links to both the citizenship application and passport forms.

Form download

Applications are processed by DIA, and forms are available on their citizenship page. You can complete the form online or download a PDF version if you prefer paper lodgement. Allow time to gather supporting documents — the process asks for proof of identity, residency history, and potentially police clearances from any country you’ve lived in.

Passport fee link

Citizenship and passport applications are separate processes with separate fees. After your citizenship is granted, the New Zealand passport application goes through the same DIA system but follows its own timeline and fee structure.

Clarity on what’s confirmed and what’s uncertain

The citizenship fee changes are well-documented: the New Zealand Government and DIA press release both confirm the new rates and effective date. Processing times and backlog figures come from government data and are consistently cited across outlets like Beehive.govt.nz and NZ Herald.

What people are saying

“Updating fees is essential to maintain high-quality services and meet rising costs.”

— Department of Internal Affairs, Official Release

“New Zealand citizenship fees continue to be among the lowest fees internationally following this change.”

— Adrian Jarvis, General Manager of Services and Access, DIA

“Citizenship fees have remained unchanged for 22 years. This 19% adjustment ensures fees cover the full cost of delivering citizenship services in a sustainable way.”

— NZ Herald, confirmed via official sources

The implication: the DIA frames the increase as a cost-recovery measure rather than a revenue grab. Jarvis’s point about NZ retaining among the lowest international fees is worth keeping in perspective — citizenship costs vary widely globally, and a 19% jump still leaves New Zealand competitive compared to countries like Australia, Canada, or the UK.

Summary

The citizenship fee increase is concrete, documented, and landing soon. Whether you’re applying solo or with family, the adult rate going from $470.20 to $560 and the child rate from $235.10 to $280 means you’re paying roughly 19% more than applicants who lodged before 21 November 2025. The offsetting factor is faster processing: where applicants once waited six months or more, most now see a decision in under three months. For those already permanent residents with documents in order, the case to file before the increase is straightforward — you lock in the lower fee and benefit from the improved processing speed. For those still assembling their application, the faster timeline softens the sting of the new rates.

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Applicants facing the new DIA fee increases from November 2025 will benefit from reviewing this NZ citizenship application guide outlining requirements and timelines.

Frequently asked questions