New Zealand Family Relationship Visa

If you are married or in a de-facto relationship with a New Zealand citizen either living in Australia or offshore, the Subclass 461 visa may be a suitable option for you.  The Subclass 461 visa is also available to other eligible family members of New Zealand citizens.

With this visa you can

• live, work and study in Australia for 5 years from the date

your visa is granted;

• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want during the 5 year period.

Eligibility

To apply for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461):

• you are not an Australian citizen;

• you are not a New Zealand citizen;

• relationship to a New Zealand citizen:

  • you are a member of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen, who is not an eligible New Zealand citizen and who is the holder of a subclass 444 or will be granted a subclass 444 on entry to Australia.

  • you are in Australia, and you hold a subclass 461 visa or the last substantive visa you held was a subclass 461 visa. You are no longer a member of the family unit of the person to whom you were previously granted a subclass 461 visa, and you are not a member of the family unit of any other person.

  • you are outside Australia and meet all of the below

    • have been in Australia as the holder of a Subclass 461 visa for at least 2 years in the past 5 years immediately before you made your visa application, or

    • have substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties with Australia that are of benefit to Australia and you have not been away from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years or more immediately before applying for this visa (unless you have compelling reasons for your absence)

    • You held a Subclass 461 visa when you last left Australia

    • You are no longer a member of the family unit of the person in relation to whom you were previously granted a Subclass 461 visa, and

    • You have not become a member of the family unit of another person (whether or not you are still a member of the family unit of that other person).

• meet health and character requirements;

• have health insurance;

How long you can stay

This is a temporary visa. It lets you stay in Australia for 5 years.

Processing Times

Processing times are indicative only and may vary depending on individual circumstances or government policy. The latest processing times published by the Department of Home Affairs are as follows:

·        90% of applications: 8 months.

Contact Us

Canberra Visa & Migration Services has significant experience in the New Zealand Family Relationship Visa application process and can deal with any difficult issues that may arise when applying for citizenship. If you need any assistance, please contact our office to book a consultation.