Holiday Hours: Our offices close from 5.30pm, Wednesday, 18 December and reopen 8.30am on Monday, 6 January 2025. If you need urgent assistance during the holidays call 0800 800 612 to talk to a Licensed Immigration Adviser. Wishing you and your family safe and happy holidays!
Residence vs NZ Citizenship
When someone becomes a resident they are entitled to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely. With New Zealand Citizenship there are more benefits.
When someone becomes a resident they are entitled to live, work, and study in New Zealand for an indefinite period. A resident visa holder can also:
- Buy a house and/or land after 12 months or more of living in New Zealand as a resident.
- Gain access to publicly funded healthcare and education (there are qualifying periods for eligibility to access student loans).
- Vote in local and general elections after living in the country for 12 months or more as a resident.
- Apply for certain government jobs.
There are benefits to becoming a New Zealand citizen. These include:
- Travelling internationally while holding a New Zealand passport reduces the need for visas to enter many countries (there are around 190 countries that are visa-free for New Zealand citizens).
- Represent New Zealand in certain sporting codes at international level.
- Access to some education scholarships that are only open to New Zealand citizens.
- New Zealand Embassy/Consular support while overseas.
- Apply for certain government jobs that require NZ citizenship (including becoming an MP).
If you are interested in becoming a New Zealand citizen we recommend you first check if your country of citizenship allows dual nationality. Some countries do not. Are you prepared to surrender your current citizenship? That’s not a decision to make in a hurry.
If you want to know the criteria for New Zealand citizenship you can read more here or talk to the team at Malcolm Pacific Immigration today.
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