You can also view this page as a PDF document: Endorsements factsheet - PDF [563KB].

Who is this factsheet for?

This fact sheet is for New Zealand citizens who wish to enter New Zealand as a New Zealand citizen on a foreign passport and will need an ‘endorsement’.

What is an endorsement?

The Immigration Act 2009 (2009 Act) introduces the concept of endorsements for New Zealand citizens. An endorsement is a record that allows a New Zealand citizen to enter New Zealand as a New Zealand citizen although they are travelling on a foreign passport. An endorsement may be physically placed in the foreign passport or, if requested, it can be held by Immigration New Zealand as an electronic record linked to the foreign passport.  An endorsement is current for the duration of the foreign passport it is endorsed in (or linked to, if electronic only).

What do applicants need to provide to get an endorsement?

Applicants for a first-time endorsement need to prove they are a New Zealand citizen by providing one of the following:

• A New Zealand passport
• A New Zealand birth certificate (if issued on or after 1 January 2006, the birth certificate must positively indicate the person has New Zealand citizenship)
• A certificate of New Zealand citizenship issued under the Citizenship Act 1977
• A certificate of confirmation of New Zealand citizenship by descent issued under the Citizenship Act 1977
• An evidentiary certificate issued under the Citizenship Act 1977 confirming New Zealand citizenship.

For subsequent endorsement applications, applicants must provide a declaration that they have previously held a foreign passport with an endorsement confirming New Zealand citizenship.

Applicants for endorsements also need to provide a New Zealand passport issued on or after 5 November 2005, or a passport-sized photograph of the applicant’s head and shoulders if they do not hold a New Zealand passport issued on or after 5 November 2005.

What happens to New Zealand citizens travelling on a foreign passport with a returning resident’s visa (RRV)?

Under the Immigration Act 1987, a New Zealand citizen travelling on a foreign passport would be issued a returning resident's visa (RRV) in their foreign passport. Those people who already hold an RRV on the basis of their New Zealand citizenship when the 2009 Act came into force, are able to travel to and enter New Zealand as New Zealand citizens with their foreign passport and RRV until the expiry of that passport. When they renew their foreign passport, they are able to apply to Immigration New Zealand for an endorsement linked to their new foreign passport.

Disclaimer: Every care has been taken to ensure the information in this factsheet is accurate. While the use of the information in this factsheet may assist you in your application, applications will be assessed by Immigration New Zealand according to the requirements of the Immigration Act 2009.