Citizenship..when to apply

[RedVee]

Hi all,

I am planning on taking an extended leave in a few months to travel the world and am trying to calculate how my citizenship eligibility will be impacted. Here are the details:

Date of Residency - 12 October 2015
Date or Permanent Residency (Indefinite) - 27 October 2017

Here is what my travel schedule has looked like since residency:

Travel Schedule Since Residency

Period Start Period End
25/12/2015 29/01/2016 equals 35 days
18/08/2016 30/08/2016 equals 13 days
23/12/2016 16/01/2017 equals 25 days
12/08/2017 10/09/2017 equals 30 days
Planned Travel:
02/07/2017 07/01/2018 equal 189 days

As per my calculations and the 189 day overseas holiday that I intend on taking this year, 1 May 2020 will be the earliest I will be eligible to apply for citizenship (considering no additional overseas travel) as per the image attached. Is that correct?

Attachment 3512

On the day you apply, you count backwards. So if you apply in May, you would need to look at the days May to May, not September to September.

[absarahmad86]

Yes, seems like the criteria/requirements are changed. Thanks for the reply.

[Sackboy]

Yes, seems like the criteria/requirements are changed. Thanks for the reply.

Could you share with us what are the changes you noticed?

[rawsoncj]

I took the affirmation of citizenship on Wednesday, so I am now officially a New Zealand citizen.

Timeline:

September 2004 - While watching The Two Towers, my partner remarks that we should move to New Zealand "someday"
October 2004 - I say that if George Bush gets re-elected, I'm leaving the States and never coming back
November 2004 - Bush gets re-elected
September 2006 - Partner applies to Massey University
March 2007 - Application rejected
September 2007 - Partner re-applies to Massey
March 2008 - Application approved
July 2008 - Arrival in Palmerston North
September 2012 - Partner and I split up; I submit my EOI for residency
October 2012 - EOI selected
November 2012 - Partner goes back to the States; I stay here
December 2012 - ITA issued
January 2013 - Residence visa processing begins
January 2013 to April 2013 - Mad scramble to find permanent employment so my residency will be approved
April 2013 - Residence visa granted
April 2015 - Permanent residence visa granted
April 2018 - Citizenship granted

[JandM]

Congratulations!

[Martinvz]

I got a letter a little over a week ago telling me my citizenship application had been approved so now I’m just waiting g on an invite to a ceremony in Dunedin. I don’t know how long that’ll be but it really doesn’t matter, I’m just happy to be almost done dealing with INZ forever.

[absarahmad86]

Could you share with us what are the changes you noticed?

Hi Sackboy

Apologies, didn't notice your message earlier.

Nothing has changed in term of the criteria. I was just under the impression that the time period spent on the "Work to Residence visa (accredited employer)" could be counted towards the citizenship. But unfortunately that time only starts when you have residence.

[Jazz77]

Can we still apply after 240 days in our 4th year or you have to wait until the 5 years are up to apply for citizenship?
Thanks

[breeze]

Sorry for the very late reply, Famous.
We met with the officer I think was Feb 9, submitted everything. Never got any letter saying it was approved. One day in early second week of March we decided to call DIA to find out what's happening and the officer said oh, our ceremony would be on the following week! We were moving house during that time too, despite informing them in Feb of our new address, we found the invitation to ceremony letter sent to the old address.

It all happened very fast. I was estimating to attend the ceremony in July or so but got it many months ahead. We are in South Auckland so did it in Vodafone arena.

The same day we got the citizenship certificate, we applied passport online. Did my photo myself against a white wall with a selfie stick. Just make sure you follow the required measurements. Got the passport via courier in about 10 days I think. Beautiful little black book!

[jawnbc]

I applied on day 242 of my 5th year When you contact them to make an appointment they will check your eligibility.