Foreigners over the age of 16 may become New Zealand citizens "by grant" after residing in the Realm for more than five years while possessing indefinite permission to remain. This usually means holding New Zealand permanent residency, but Australian citizens and permanent residents also have an indefinite permission to remain. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language and be physically present in the country for at least 1,350 days during that five-year period and at least 240 days in each of those five years. Under exceptional circumstances, the physical presence requirement may be reduced to 450 days in a 20-month period. Individuals who are already New Zealand citizens "by descent" may choose to become citizens "by grant" after fulfilling the residence requirement to gain the ability to pass citizenship to their children born overseas. New Zealand granted citizenship to an average of 28,000 people per year through the 2010s.