Application timeframes
There are currently processing delays to New Zealand citizenship applications. Check this page regularly for up-to-date timeframes.
The oldest applications now being assessed were submitted in May 2021.
The timeframes below are estimates only. Some applications may have further delays due to external checks with other government agencies.
COVID-19 update:
Citizenship ceremonies are not currently being held.
Instead, the Citizenship Office will send your citizenship certificate by courier post within 2 months.
If you asked to attend a citizenship ceremony in a group, we will let each person in your group know whether their application has been approved before we send your certificates.
Application process stages | Estimated timeframe |
---|---|
Application allocated to a case officer | 11 months |
Outcome of application | 1 to 2 months |
Allocation to a ceremony | 1 to 2 months |
Total application process | 13 to 15 months |
As at | Applications |
---|---|
30 April 2021 | 21,905 |
31 May 2021 | 23,788 |
24 June 2021 | 25,348 |
30 July 2021 | 26,524 |
31 August 2021 | 28,493 |
30 September 2021 | 30,896 |
29 October 2021 | 32,168 |
30 November 2021 | 33,357 |
24 December 2021 | 33,284 |
31 January 2022 | 34,758 |
28 February 2022 | 35,714 |
31 March 2022 | 37,089 |
29 April 2022 | 36,650 |
This table records the amount of unallocated citizenship applications as at the last working day of the month where data was available. The most recent figure is the total number of unallocated applications.
About the application processing delays
Urgent applications
Utility links and page information
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