What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship?
Permanent residence is the right to reside in New Zealand permanently, while that person has in the passport of their home country, a valid Residence Permit, or if out of New Zealand, a valid Returning Resident’s Visa. The right to residence may therefore lapse if that person does not have at least one of those visas/permits. Citizenship, on the other hand, gives the person the right to a New Zealand passport. Citizenship applications are not handled by the Immigration Department, but by the Department of Internal Affairs. Applicants must have lived in New Zealand for at least 5 years from the time they obtained NZ Residency before they can apply. Citizenship does not lapse if one is out of the country for any period of time.
Permanent residence is the right to reside in New Zealand permanently, while that person has in the passport of their home country, a valid Residence Permit, or if out of New Zealand, a valid Returning Resident’s Visa. The right to residence may therefore lapse if that person does not have at least one of those visas/permits. Citizenship, on the other hand, gives the person the right to a New Zealand passport. Citizenship applications are not processed by the Immigration Department, but by the Department of Internal Affairs. Applicants must have lived in New Zealand for at least 5 years before they can apply. Citizenship does not lapse if one is out of the country for any period of time.
Permanent residence is the right to reside in New Zealand permanently, while that person has in the passport of their home country, a valid Residence Permit, or if out of New Zealand, a valid Returning Resident’s Visa. The right to residence may therefore lapse if that person does not have at least one of those visas/permits. Citizenship, on the other hand, gives the person the right to a New Zealand passport. Citizenship applications are not handled by the Immigration Department, but by the Department of Internal Affairs. Applicants must have lived in New Zealand for at least 3 years before they can apply. Citizenship does not lapse if one is out of the country for any period of time.
Related Questions
- Does an approval for a nomination by the AINP ensure that Citizenship and Immigration Canada will issue a permanent residence to a Provincial Nominee?
- I am a United States citizen and my spouse is a lawful permanent residence, how long must my spouse wait to apply for citizenship?
- Is there a fee to apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the permanent residence?
