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New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (Subclass 461)

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Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Australia Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

The qualifying family relationship is membership of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen who holds (or is eligible for) a Subclass 444 visa and is not an 'eligible New Zealand citizen'. The applicant must not themselves be an Australian or New Zealand citizen. Two further, narrower categories also qualify: a person who previously held a Subclass 461 visa but is no longer part of that family unit and has not joined another one, whether applying from inside or outside Australia.

See recorded sources

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

There is no third-party sponsor to approve: eligibility instead turns on the New Zealand family member's own visa status. That family member must hold, or be eligible for, a Subclass 444 visa (New Zealand citizens are not automatically granted one), verifiable through VEVO, and must either already be in Australia on that visa or be travelling to Australia with the applicant to be granted it on entry.

See recorded sources

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

What matters for proving eligibility differs by category and location: a current family-unit member proves their relationship to the New Zealand citizen and that citizen's Subclass 444 status; a former Subclass 461 holder must show they are no longer part of that family unit and have not joined another one, and, if applying from outside Australia, must additionally show either at least 2 years' presence in Australia on a Subclass 461 visa within the past 5 years, or substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties to Australia without a continuous absence of 5 years or more (absent compelling reasons). Applicants in Australia must also hold, or have recently held, a substantive temporary visa.

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What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The applicant and any family unit members applying with them must meet Australia's health and character requirements (character applies from age 16), and applicants aged 18 or over must sign the Australian Values Statement unless excused for compelling circumstances. Outstanding debts to the Australian Government must be arranged for repayment, and while health insurance is only recommended (not mandatory), the applicant is personally liable for all healthcare costs while in Australia.

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How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

This is a temporary visa: it grants 5 years of stay from the date of grant, during which the holder can live, work and study in Australia and travel to and from the country as many times as they wish. Cost is from AUD1,330.00. The visa does not itself progress to permanent residence; a former holder who has left their New Zealand family unit may re-qualify under the same subclass rather than moving to a different, more permanent visa category.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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