New Zealand Citizenship Test to Be In Person From 2027

New Zealand’s planned citizenship test is expected to be delivered in person rather than online, following concerns about cheating, identity verification, privacy and the overall integrity of the assessment.

The update relates to people applying for New Zealand citizenship by grant. It is not a New Zealand Visa change and it is separate from Immigration NZ visa processes. However, it may be relevant for migrants who are already resident in New Zealand, or who are planning their long-term pathway after moving to New Zealand.

According to reporting based on Department of Internal Affairs documents, officials initially explored an online citizenship test, including a possible testing portal hosted on a Government website. The Government has now decided to proceed with an in-person examination model. The test is expected to be introduced from the second half of 2027 for most people applying for citizenship by grant.

What has changed

The key point is that the proposed citizenship test will not be online. Instead, applicants who are required to sit the test will need to complete it in person.

The test, announced in May, is expected to require applicants to answer at least 15 out of 20 multiple-choice questions correctly. Departmental projections reported in the article estimate that 85 per cent of applicants may pass on their first attempt, with 96 per cent expected to pass eventually.

The documents show that an online model was considered, but officials raised concerns that available monitoring systems did not provide enough assurance to detect and respond to problematic test behaviour. Officials also noted that discussions with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority had shown mixed success in detecting and confirming cheating in online exams.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said an online option would undermine the integrity of the test, particularly given increasing artificial intelligence capability. The article also reports that an online system could create significant privacy and security issues because it may require the collection and storage of personal and biometric information.

The move to an in-person model has also affected the implementation timeframe. Earlier briefings had considered dates in late 2025 and 2026, but the current expected timing is the second half of 2027. The minister said the in-person model required more time to find a provider to administer the test, and that procurement is underway.

The documents also indicate that a separate fee is intended for each test attempt, rather than one fee covering all attempts. A late March briefing recorded an instruction to establish a per-test-attempt fee and to increase the waiting period for a resit from 10 to 30 working days.

What this means for migrants

For migrants who are working towards New Zealand citizenship, the proposed test may become an additional step in the citizenship by grant process from the second half of 2027. It will be important to distinguish this from visa applications. Immigration NZ manages visas, while citizenship is handled by the Department of Internal Affairs. A person may already hold residence and later apply for citizenship if they meet the relevant requirements.

The article reports that the test is intended to assess knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of being a New Zealander. The Department of Internal Affairs is expected to publish guidance and supporting material with the information needed to prepare for the test.

Not every applicant is expected to sit the test. Based on the current information reported, exemptions are expected for applicants who are under 16, aged 65 or over, have been granted a waiver for the English language requirement, are not of full capacity, have a severe medical condition that would prevent them from completing the test, or have unique personal circumstances that would prevent them from completing it.

Other reported exemptions include New Zealand citizens by descent applying for citizenship by grant, and some applicants applying from overseas who meet the presence requirement, such as people living in Niue, the Cook Islands or Tokelau, or those working overseas for the New Zealand Government.

The proposed separate fee per attempt and 30-working-day wait for a resit mean preparation may become more important for affected applicants. The minister said the fee model is intended to encourage applicants to study and pass on their first attempt, while recovering the cost of providing an in-person test.

What to do next

If you are currently planning your move to New Zealand, your immediate focus may still be on the correct visa pathway, eligibility, documents and timing. The citizenship test does not replace New Zealand Visa requirements and does not appear to affect temporary or resident visa applications.

If you already hold residence and are considering citizenship in the future, keep an eye on official updates from the Department of Internal Affairs as the test is developed. Details such as exact start dates, test locations, fees, booking processes and preparation materials will matter once confirmed.

Because the test is not expected until the second half of 2027, applicants should avoid making decisions based on assumptions. Instead, check your current status, understand whether you may be affected, and make sure you are following the official citizenship requirements that apply at the time you apply.

If you need help understanding your long-term migration pathway, including how a visa pathway may lead to residence before citizenship becomes relevant, you can get matched with a licensed immigration adviser for personalised guidance.

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