Your Right to a New Zealand Passport
Once you become a New Zealand citizen, you are eligible to apply for a New Zealand passport. The NZ passport is one of the world's most powerful travel documents, giving visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 185 countries and territories.
✈️A New Zealand passport allows you to live and work in Australia without a visa under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.
How to Apply
New Zealand passports are issued by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). You can apply online, at a PostShop, or at a DIA service centre.
Application Steps
- Gather your citizenship certificate and proof of identity documents
- Have your passport photos taken (meet the specific photo requirements)
- Complete the passport application form online at passports.govt.nz or at a PostShop
- Pay the application fee (check current fees at passports.govt.nz)
- Submit your application and supporting documents
- Receive your passport by post or collect in person
Documents You Will Need
- Your New Zealand citizenship certificate
- Current passport-sized photographs meeting DIA specifications
- Proof of any name changes (if your name has changed since citizenship was granted)
- Payment for the application fee
Processing Times and Fees
Processing times for New Zealand passports vary depending on demand. Standard processing typically takes 10 working days, but urgent processing is available at a higher fee.
Always check the current processing times and fees at passports.govt.nz before applying, as these change periodically.
⏱️If you need your passport urgently for travel, apply for the urgent or priority service. Plan well in advance if possible.
Dual Citizenship and Your Passport
New Zealand allows dual citizenship — you can hold a New Zealand passport alongside a passport from another country. However, you should check whether your country of origin allows dual citizenship, as some countries do not.
When travelling to New Zealand or Australia, you should use your New Zealand passport to enter, as it gives you the best entry rights and simplest border crossing process.