24 February 2026
David Singh
[FYI request #33536 email] DOIA REQ-0026249
Tēnā koe David
Thank you for your email of 18 January 2026 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), a number of questions relating
to Citizenship Endorsement applications and related processes. For ease of reference, we have
responded to each of your questions in turn below.
Our Response
Question 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?
MBIE’s previous response to your request for information under the Act, DOIA 2324-2258 dated
15 April 2024, remains correct. Whilst form INZ1174 requests that applicants provide their passport
without specifying the required format, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) currently accepts either a
certified copy or the original foreign passport for the purposes of a New Zealand Citizen Endorsement
Application.
Question 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?
A New Zealand citizen can have multiple foreign passports endorsed with their New Zealand
citizenship at any time. However, applicants should note that a separate application must be
submitted for each passport, and the applicable fees must be paid for each application.
Question 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 traveller:
- 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.
We have answered this in two parts - departing New Zealand and travelling to/arriving in New Zealand.
At airline check-in and New Zealand Border Control when departing New Zealand
If a New Zealand citizen travels on their foreign passport without a citizenship endorsement, they
should not have any issues departing New Zealand as INZ does not check travel authority for
passengers departing New Zealand.
At airline check-in and arriving in New Zealand
If a New Zealand citizen travels on a foreign passport without a citizenship endorsement, they are
likely to be stopped at airline check-in for their flight to New Zealand. This is because the New Zealand
Advanced Passenger Processing (NZ APP) system will be unable to verify their travel requirements for
New Zealand (i.e. it will be unable to find a visa/endorsement or ETA). In such circumstances, the
airline must contact Immigration Border Operations (IBO) to seek authorization to board the
passenger. IBO must verify the passenger’s New Zealand citizenship before authorisation to board the
flight to New Zealand can be granted.
If the passenger is a visa-waiver national, IBO will be able to update the system directive to allow the
passenger to land as a New Zealand citizen upon arrival in New Zealand. However, if the New Zealand
citizen is a visa-required national, they will be stopped on arrival and referred to IBO for further
processing as a New Zealand citizen. This is because IBO is unable to update the system directive for
visa-required nationals to land as New Zealand citizens on arrival in New Zealand.
In summary, a New Zealand citizen who travels to New Zealand on a foreign passport without a
citizenship endorsement is likely to experience delays and inconvenience.
Question 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.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffyi.org.nz%2Frequest%2F2848
4%2Fresponse%2F110237%2Fattach%2F3%2FOIA%252024%2520575%2520Response%2520John.pdf
&data=05%7C02%7CMinisterialServices%40mbie.govt.nz%7C1c28546407e8422bc1a508de55b83500
%7C78b2bd11e42b47eab0112e04c3af5ec1%7C0%7C0%7C639042446984595872%7CUnknown%7CT
WFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpb
CIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2B6Qdvjm6bvTrpjJQG2p1BqMG930x8j%2F5r
ruiqaG3GYU%3D&reserved=0
It 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.
New Zealand Customs Service has confirmed that the eGate system will only allow a traveller to
proceed if the passport used at airline check-in is the same passport used at the eGate. If a different
passport is presented, the information on the pre-directive generated from the check-in information
will not match, and the traveller will be referred to the manual primary line.
Question 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 lodgement guide appears to be at least partially out of date, as the
application fee stated in the guide is no longer correct.
Immigration Instructions Y3.15 regarding entry permissions for New Zealand citizens are available on
INZ’s website:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#35376.htm .
As we do not currently have any standard operating procedures (SOP) relating to New Zealand
citizenship endorsement, this part of your request is refused under section 18(e) of the Act as the
document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist or, despite reasonable efforts
to locate it, cannot be found.
The most up to date fees for any application are available on INZ’s website at
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/fees-processing-times-and-
refunds/fees-decision-times-and-where-to-apply/ . Question 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?
Whilst I am unable to confirm a timeline, I can confirm INZ is consistently looking to improve their
services and what is offered, as well as continuing to bring more of INZ services online.
You can learn more about travelling on a foreign endorsed passport at INZ website at
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/once-you-have-a-visa/manage-your-visa-and-
passport/new-zealand-citizens-travelling-on-a-foreign-passport/
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800
802 602.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, please contact
[email address].
Nāku noa, nā
Oliver Valins
Head of the Office of the Deputy Secretary Immigration
Office of the Deputy Secretary Immigration
Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Annex One
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 traveller:
- 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.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffyi.org.nz%2Frequest
%2F28484%2Fresponse%2F110237%2Fattach%2F3%2FOIA%252024%2520575%2520Respon
se%2520John.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CMinisterialServices%40mbie.govt.nz%7C1c28546407e
8422bc1a508de55b83500%7C78b2bd11e42b47eab0112e04c3af5ec1%7C0%7C0%7C639042
446984595872%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuM
DAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&sdat
a=%2B6Qdvjm6bvTrpjJQG2p1BqMG930x8j%2F5rruiqaG3GYU%3D&reserved=0 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 lodgement 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?
