51121 (2025). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Internal Affairs

51121 (2025). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Internal Affairs: How much time does it take to grant citizenship from permanent residency?

Hon Brooke van Velden: Applicants that meet all the standard requirements including the ‘presence in New Zealand’ requirement and have provided all the necessary information and documents, will typically be allocated to a Life and Identity Services Officer (LISO) for assessment within approximately five weeks and may be granted citizenship within one to two months. Applicants aged 14 years and over who are approved for New Zealand citizenship are required to attend a citizenship ceremony. This is the final step in the citizenship process and when the person officially becomes a New Zealand citizen and receives their citizenship certificate. Local councils host the ceremonies, and most applicants attend a ceremony within one to five months of approval.