A resident visa granted by Immigration New Zealand is not the same as a Permanent Resident Visa (PRV). A resident visa gives indefinite right to live and work in NZ, but travel conditions expire 2 years after the grant date.

To obtain a PRV, resident visa holders must demonstrate commitment to NZ through one of four methods: filing NZ income tax returns with taxable NZ income, owning or operating a NZ business, spending time in NZ as the primary place of residence, or making a significant investment in NZ.

A PRV does not expire. Once granted, it allows travel in and out of NZ without renewing travel conditions.

Eligibility for NZ citizenship by grant requires:

• Holding a resident visa for at least 5 years before applying.
• Physical presence in NZ for at least 1,350 days in the 5 years before application.
• Presence in NZ for at least 240 days in each of those 5 years.
• Intent to continue residing in NZ.
• Good character (a further character check is conducted).

Application fee: NZD $470.70. A citizenship ceremony is mandatory - citizenship is not granted by post. Full criteria are at Department of Internal Affairs.

Canada permits dual citizenship. NZ permits dual citizenship. Canadians who become NZ citizens retain their Canadian citizenship and both passports.

NZ permanent residents - not just citizens - have the right to vote in NZ general and local elections. This is unusual globally. It means Canadians on resident visas can participate in NZ democracy without completing citizenship.