Cost of Becoming a Kiwi Jumps: Citizenship Fees Rise by 19% After 22 Years
Wellington, New Zealand – November 21, 2025
The cost of formally becoming a New Zealand citizen has increased significantly today, with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) implementing a nearly 19% fee hike across all citizenship applications. The increase, the first in 22 years, took effect this morning and is designed to ensure the delivery of citizenship services is fully funded by those who use them, rather than the taxpayer.
The most noticeable change is for adults applying for New Zealand citizenship by grant, which is the most common path for permanent residents. The fee for an adult (aged 16 and over) has risen from $470.20 (including GST) to $560.00.
For families, the price of an application for a child (under 16) has increased from $235.10 to $280.00. Similarly, the fee for registering New Zealand citizenship by descent—a process often used by children born overseas to a New Zealand parent—has climbed from $204.40 to $243.00.
Sustaining the Service
The DIA confirmed the change was necessary to keep up with two decades of rising operational costs.
Adrian Jarvis, General Manager Services and Access at the Department of Internal Affairs, explained the rationale behind the adjustment. “Updating fees is essential to maintain high-quality services and meet rising costs,” he said.
“Citizenship fees have remained unchanged for 22 years. This 19% adjustment ensures fees cover the full cost of delivering citizenship services in a sustainable way. Importantly, citizenship services are funded entirely by fees – not by taxpayers – so the increase will not impact the public purse.”
Still Among the Lowest
Despite the nearly $90 jump for an adult application, the DIA stressed that New Zealand’s citizenship fees remain highly competitive on the international stage.
“New Zealand citizenship fees continue to be among the lowest fees internationally following this change,” Mr. Jarvis noted.
The Department advised that the full list of new fees for all citizenship service products is now available on the official New Zealand Government website. Applicants who submitted their forms before the deadline of November 21, 2025, will pay the old, lower fee, while any application received from today onwards will be subject to the new pricing structure.
The fee increase comes after the DIA also raised the cost of New Zealand passports earlier this year, citing similar pressures from rising production costs. The changes underscore the government’s commitment to cost-recovery models for essential identity and migration services.
