New Zealand law has set the minimum age for anyone applying for citizenship by grant, though age alone is not enough to qualifyApplicants must meet six additional requirements including at least 1,350 days of lawful presence in New Zealand over five years The Minister holds discretionary power over all citizenship grants and may waive certain conditions in exceptional circumstancesPAY ATTENTION: Mark Legit.ng as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!New Zealand sets the minimum age for citizenship by grant at 16 years, but reaching that age is only the starting point in a process that demands far more from applicants before the Minister will consider authorising a grant.Section 8 of New Zealand’s citizenship legislation states that the Minister may authorise a grant of citizenship to any person who has attained 16 years of age, is of full capacity, applies in the prescribed manner, and satisfies the Minister on every requirement listed in the law. New Zealand sets 16 as minumum age for citizenship. Photo credit: BBC. Source: UGCThe provision covers all applicants for citizenship by grant, including those who may already hold New Zealand citizenship by descent.Six Requirements Every Applicant Must MeetPAY ATTENTION: From breaking news to viral moments.
Follow Legit.ng on Instagram!Beyond the age threshold, applicants must clear six separate hurdles simultaneously.They must be entitled under the Immigration Act 2009 to remain in New Zealand indefinitely. They must also have been physically present in New Zealand for at least 1,350 days across the five years immediately before their application, with no fewer than 240 of those days falling within each of those five years, and only days on which the applicant was entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely count towards that total.In addition, applicants must be of good character, demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges that come with New Zealand citizenship, and show sufficient knowledge of the English language. Finally, they must intend, if granted citizenship, to continue residing in New Zealand or to enter or remain in Crown service under the New Zealand Government, service under an international organisation of which New Zealand is a member, or employment with a person, company, society, or other body resident or established in New Zealand.When Indefinite Residence Does Not CountThe law draws a firm line on what qualifies as being entitled to reside in New Zealand indefinitely. A person whose entitlement carries conditions imposed under the Immigration Act 2009 is not treated as holding indefinite residence for citizenship purposes if those conditions had not been fully met or cancelled at the time of application.The Minister, following consultation with the Minister of Immigration, may waive the indefinite residence requirement for applicants entitled to reside indefinitely in the Cook Islands, Niue, or Tokelau, and may similarly waive the presence requirement for those who met equivalent day-count thresholds in those territories.
Time spent in Crown service, or spent outside New Zealand while accompanying a spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner who is a New Zealand citizen in Crown service, may also be counted as time in New Zealand.Where exceptional circumstances exist, the Minister may accept a reduced presence, provided the applicant was physically present in New Zealand for at least 450 days during the 20 months immediately before their application, on days when they were entitled to be there indefinitely.Reaching age 16 and meeting every listed requirement does not guarantee an outcome. The law uses the word “may” throughout, meaning the Minister retains full discretion over whether to authorise any grant of citizenship.New Zealand announces immigration updates Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that New Zealand’s Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced updates to its Work to Residence visa, introducing two skilled pathways for foreign workers.The Trades and Technician pathway requires applicants to hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification recognised on the NZQCF. Source: Legit.ng Ankrah Shalom (Human-Interest editor) Shalom Ankrah is a journalist and a Human Interest Editor at Legit.ng with over six years of experience. She has a degree in Mass communication from Alex Ekwueme University.
Shalom has worked with reputable news organizations including The Tide and GistReel. Email: ankrah.shalom@corp.legit.ng. Nigerian YouthsDiaspora Australia Good evening message Damon darling Elizabeth rizzini Mary bruce
