Kia ora David Singh,
 
On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 18/01/2026 requesting, under the Official
Information Act 1982, the following:
 
I have a few questions regarding Citizenship Endorsement applications and
related processes. I am seeking clarification at a policy and practice
level.

1. Foreign passport requirement for Citizenship Endorsement applications
Form INZ1174 states that applicants need to provide their foreign passport
for endorsement, but it does not specify whether the passport must be the
original or whether a certified copy is acceptable.

By contrast, the Citizenship Endorsement lodgement guide referenced in OIA
request 2324-2258 states that for the foreign passport, “Certified copy or
original is required”.

Can you confirm whether either a certified copy or the original foreign
passport is acceptable for a Citizenship Endorsement application?

2. Endorsing multiple foreign passports
Can a New Zealand citizen apply to endorse two or more valid foreign
passports, even if not within a single application?

For example, if a New Zealand citizen also holds Canadian and Thai
citizenship, can they apply for a Citizenship Endorsement for the Canadian
passport and then subsequently apply for an endorsement for the Thai
passport, provided both passports are valid?

3. NZ dual citizen travelling solely on a foreign passport without a
Citizenship Endorsement
What delays, issues, or additional steps might a New Zealand citizen face
if they travel in and out of New Zealand using only a foreign passport
without a Citizenship Endorsement?

Similar to the response provided in OIA request 2324-1444, can you explain
what would typically occur in the following situations, including how
border systems (such as eGate, where relevant) would handle the traveler:
- At airline check-in in New Zealand when departing overseas (assuming the
foreign passport is valid for entry to the destination country);
- At New Zealand border control when departing New Zealand; and
- At New Zealand border control when returning to New Zealand.

In OIA 2324-1444, the response explains what may occur when a person
checks in for a flight returning to New Zealand. I am seeking similar
clarification for the situations listed above.

4. Dual citizen travelling with both a foreign passport (without
endorsement) and a New Zealand passport
This question may relate to a different department, but I am including it
here for guidance.

OIA 24-575
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
notes that, to use eGate, passport details and passenger details must
match.

If a New Zealand–United States dual citizen uses their US passport
(without a Citizenship Endorsement) to check in for a flight from New
Zealand to the United States, and then proceeds to border control:

Can the person use their New Zealand passport at eGate?

If not, is the correct process that the person must present their New
Zealand passport to an officer at manual passport control?

I understand that the US passport could not be used at eGate, as it would
not be linked to any visa or endorsement. Please confirm whether the above
understanding is correct.

5. Current policy and SOP for assessing Citizenship Endorsement
applications
Can you share the latest policy and any SOPs used when assessing
Citizenship Endorsement applications?

I note that the Citizenship Endorsement lodgment guide appears to be at
least partially out of date, as the application fee stated in the guide is
no longer correct.

6. Future plans for an online Citizenship Endorsement application
Does the Department / INZ have any plans to move the Citizenship
Endorsement application process to an online system?
If so, what is the expected timeframe?
If not, what are the reasons this is not being considered?
 
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible, and no
later than 16/02/2026, being 20 working days after the day your request
was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe. If you have any enquiries
regarding your request feel free to contact us via email to
[1][MBIE request email].
 
Nāku noa, nā
Ministerial Services
Strategy and Assurance
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |  P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[MBIE request email]