Second Pass

Naturalization in New Zealand

The Verdict: Unlikely

As a stateless person you can ask the Minister for a grant of citizenship outside the usual rules, but it is discretionary. Gather written evidence that no country recognises you, and take advice before applying.

Section 9 of the Citizenship Act lets the Minister grant citizenship where the applicant would otherwise be stateless, without having to apply the five years or the day counts. It permits a grant; it does not require one, and we found no published criteria. That is why we rate it a long shot rather than a likely result.

Stateless means no country recognises you as its citizen under its own law. Being unable to get a passport or reach a consulate is not the same thing.

Your immigration status in New Zealand still matters in practice. A refugee and statelessness service or an immigration lawyer can help you assemble evidence from each country with a claim on you.

Email yourself a summary

Send your result and every answer you gave to your inbox, so you have it when you need it. We're copied on the email, so if you'd like our team to take a closer look, just reply.