EKT

Updating here since it’s tax time yet again. We ended up “self-filing” using H&R Block Expat this year (it’s essentially an online form that takes you through a multi-part questionnaire and completes relevant tax forms for you). We reported our KiwiSavers as pension funds so they were included as foreign assets on form 8938 and FBAR. End of story. I honestly think this is a completely appropriate way of reporting KiwiSaver accounts given the US/NZ tax treaty. Anyway, we filed our federal return electronically last weekend, it was accepted by the IRS on Monday, and our refund was deposited in our bank account on Friday (the refund was due to itemized deductions—nothing related to our foreign accounts). Hopefully this info might save others from entering the deep and scary rabbit hole that opens up when you google how to report KiwiSaver funds on US tax returns!

Curious if anyone else is has an N-400 processing (or recently completed) at the Portland, OR FO and would like to share updates to help pass the time! My husband filed under the 3-year rule on October 10, 2025 and completed biometrics in November. Waiting for our next update.

Also applied 10/10 and still waiting. Portland FO, which now says 8 months processing time so hope to hear something by April or May.

Ah, good to know same day oath ceremonies are no longer a thing. Completely missed this somehow. Portland field office here too. Out of curiosity, how long before the interview did you receive your notice?@Jane2088 @bigportions

My husband also filed on 10/10 but under the 3 year rule (he became eligible in April 2025). Processing time for our local office says 80% of cases are completed within 7.5 months, which would be May 2026 for us. He had his biometrics appointment mid-November, now back to waiting for the next update...

Ahhh, ok! That is so good to know. It’s a vacation and fortunately everything we booked is refundable or at least changeable. Fingers crossed the interview ends up being in February or later.

Hi everyone, my husband applied under the 3 year rule on 10/10 and has his biometrics appointment next week. I’m seeing that some people are getting quick interview appointments after biometrics (which is great!) and I’m a little concerned about an international trip we have booked in late January. If he gets an interview in December or January and has a same day oath ceremony, would he be required to apply for a U.S. passport to travel/re-enter after that trip? We didn’t think there was much chance of it happening that quickly.

officially filed and received NOA on 10/10🤞

Thank you for this! I’m going to look into the tax treaty and protocol more and send that info to our CPA. Did you end up declaring your Kiwisaver account on FBAR for and leaving it at that?

Oh, I forgot that the government contributions are forfeited if the account is closed. Another reason we would prefer not to do this!

Figured I would crack this thread back open since I'm visiting VJ forum again while my husband goes through the naturalization process. I lived in NZ for 13 years before we moved to the US. My husband and I both have Kiwisavers with reasonably large balances and have encountered the following issues with tax filing that really irk me: Our professional tax preparers (both Expat Tax Online who I used for years when I lived in NZ and now expat tax specialists Bright!Tax that we've used for join filing the past 2 years) told us that Kiwisaver does not meet the IRS requirements to be filed as a pension fund. Instead our Kiwisavers have been filed as foreign investment accounts meaning the returns are treated as capital gains and added as income on our 1040, even though they are locked in Kiwisaver and NOT realized gains. This wasn't an issue when the market was crappy during covid and we had no or negative returns but it has been an issue for our 2023 and 2024 returns (adding ~15k to our taxable income). We don't really want to transfer our Kiwisaver funds to the US because the exchange rate isn't great BUT we might end up doing that before the end of 2025 if we can't figure something out. Really interested to hear others' experiences and advice here! @KK_Shanks @Jacq1227 @visacats

Hi all, my husband is going to file his N-400 online today. He already completed the form and attached all evidence—we’re just going to do a final check and pay/submit tonight. He became eligible under the 3 year rule in April this year so not early filing. Looking forward to keeping in touch!

Hi, just wondering if anyone has recent experience with timeframes for IR-1 interviews at the US Consulate in Auckland. Our first NVC submission was April 30th and we resubmitted two documents on June 8th (everything else was accepted). We were hoping to hear back last week but of course NVC processing has slowed down recently. I would be very interested to hear about any recent Auckland timelines - how long after DQ an interview date was received and how far in advance the interviews in Auckland are being booked right now. The website say 30 days for non-immigrant visa interviews but I can't find any info about immigrant visas. Thanks in advance.