New Zealand is home to a significant American expat community — professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, and those who followed a New Zealand partner. For US nationals on a path to New Zealand citizenship, there is good news on the dual citizenship front: the United States does not require you to give up your American passport. This guide covers the visa pathways, the presence requirements, and the one thing most Americans don't expect — ongoing US tax obligations that continue even after NZ citizenship is granted.
The pathway: work visa to residence to citizenship
New Zealand citizenship is only available by grant (or by birth or descent under specific rules). The standard pathway for Americans requires three stages:
Stage 1: Work or partner visa
Americans can enter NZ on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) sponsored by a NZ employer, a Working Holiday Visa (for those aged 18–30), or a partner-based temporary visa if your partner is a NZ resident or citizen. This stage typically lasts 1–3 years.
Stage 2: Residence visa
Common residence pathways for Americans include the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) for those with skilled employment in NZ, a partner-based residence visa (one of the faster routes if your partner is already a resident or citizen), the 2021 Resident Visa (already granted to many Americans in NZ, now closed to new applications), or an investor/entrepreneur category for those with capital. Processing times range from 6 to 18 months.
Stage 3: Citizenship by grant
After holding a residence class visa for 5 years and meeting the physical presence requirements — at least 1,350 days in NZ over those 5 years, with at least 240 days in each 12-month period — you can apply for citizenship. Use our eligibility calculator to find your exact date.
Common visa routes for US nationals
| Visa route | Typical timeline to residence |
|---|---|
| Partner of NZ citizen/resident | 6–12 months for residence |
| Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) | 1–2 years from EOI to residence |
| 2021 Resident Visa (RV2021) | Already granted (applications closed) |
| Working Holiday to AEWV to SMC | 2–4 years total |
| Investor or Entrepreneur Resident Visa | Varies significantly |
Dual citizenship: the US allows it
This is the most straightforward aspect of NZ citizenship for Americans. The United States does not prohibit its citizens from acquiring citizenship of another country. You will be able to hold both a US passport and a New Zealand passport simultaneously.
- •No renunciation of US citizenship is required when you become an NZ citizen
- •You can travel on either passport depending on your destination
- •When entering the US, use your US passport — US law requires citizens to use their US passport to enter and exit
- •When entering NZ, use your NZ passport once you have one
For more on how NZ views dual citizenship from its side (NZ has no objection), see our guide on dual citizenship in New Zealand.
US tax obligations: what Americans must know
This is the area that catches many Americans off guard. The United States taxes its citizens on their worldwide income regardless of where they live. Becoming a New Zealand citizen does not change this. As an American living in NZ and holding NZ citizenship, you will still need to:
- •File a US federal tax return every year, reporting worldwide income
- •File an FBAR (FinCEN 114) if your foreign financial accounts exceed USD $10,000 at any point during the year
- •Report certain foreign financial assets under FATCA (Form 8938) if applicable thresholds are met
- •Be aware that NZ's KiwiSaver may be treated as a foreign retirement plan by the IRS, with specific reporting implications
The NZ–US double tax treaty and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) help prevent most Americans from paying full tax twice on the same income. However, the rules are complex and individual circumstances vary. This is not tax advice — consult a US-qualified tax adviser experienced in expat taxation before and after you become an NZ citizen.
Presence requirements and travel to the US
Americans in NZ often make long trips back to the US to visit family or for work. The citizenship presence rules apply equally regardless of destination:
Total days in NZ required over 5 years
Minimum days in NZ per 12-month period
This allows up to 125 days absent per year. A 3–4 week trip to the US twice a year is generally manageable, but remote workers who split time between NZ and the US need to track carefully. Any year where you are in NZ for fewer than 240 days will not count toward your citizenship qualification. See our guide on counting presence days for how days are counted.
Realistic timeline
- Year 1:Arrive on work visa or Working Holiday; build NZ employment record
- Year 1–2:Apply for residence visa (partner-based routes are often faster)
- Year 2–3:Residence visa granted — 5-year citizenship clock starts
- Year 7–8:Eligible to apply for citizenship (if presence requirements met)
- Year 8–9:Citizenship granted, ceremony attended, NZ passport obtained — US passport retained
Americans who arrived via a partner-based residence visa often reach citizenship faster than the 7–10 year average. Check your exact dates with our calculator.
Tips for US nationals
- •Start tracking your travel days from the date your residence visa was granted — not from when you first arrived in NZ
- •Get set up with a US expat tax adviser early — the IRS filing requirements as an American in NZ are real and ongoing
- •Be aware that some US financial institutions restrict or close accounts held by US citizens living abroad — plan ahead
- •Gather your required documents well in advance, including a police clearance certificate from any US state or country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
- •Remote workers splitting time between NZ and the US should track their days carefully — any year with fewer than 240 NZ days will not count toward citizenship
Frequently asked questions
Can I hold both US and New Zealand citizenship?
Yes. The United States does not require its citizens to renounce US citizenship when they voluntarily acquire citizenship of another country. US law recognises that citizens may hold multiple nationalities, and getting NZ citizenship will not automatically cause you to lose your US passport. You should be aware that the US Oath of Naturalization (taken when becoming a US citizen) contains language about renouncing other allegiances — but no equivalent renunciation is required when an existing US citizen naturalises elsewhere.
Do I still have to pay US taxes after becoming an NZ citizen?
Yes. The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live — one of only two countries in the world to do so (the other being Eritrea). Becoming a New Zealand citizen does not end your US tax obligations. You must continue filing US tax returns and, if you have foreign bank accounts over USD $10,000 at any point during the year, file an FBAR (FinCEN 114). The NZ–US double tax treaty and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (which allows you to exclude a significant amount of foreign-earned income from US tax) help reduce double taxation, but you will need a US tax adviser familiar with expat obligations.
What visa pathways are available for Americans coming to New Zealand?
Americans have several options: the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) sponsored by a NZ employer; the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) for those with a job offer or skilled work experience; a partner-based residence visa if your partner is a NZ resident or citizen; or investor/entrepreneur visas for those with capital to invest. New Zealand also offers a Working Holiday Visa for American citizens aged 18–30, valid for up to 12 months, which some use as a first step before transitioning to longer-term work.
How long does the full process take from the US to NZ citizenship?
The typical timeline is 7–10 years: 1–3 years on a work visa, 6–18 months to obtain a residence visa, then 5 years meeting the presence requirements for citizenship. Americans who arrived via a partner-based residence visa often have a shorter overall wait since the residence process is faster. Use our calculator to find your specific eligibility date.
Ready to find out when you can apply for NZ citizenship? Enter your visa details and travel history into our free calculator.
Check your eligibility date