NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa

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The New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461) is designed for individuals who are not New Zealand citizens themselves but are members of a New Zealand citizen’s family unit. This visa allows eligible applicants to live and work in Australia for up to five years, with the option to renew, even if the relationship ends after the visa is granted. Below is a detailed guide to help you understand the benefits, eligibility requirements, and application process for the Subclass 461 visa.

What is a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa?

The Subclass 461 visa is a temporary visa that enables non-New Zealand citizens to live in Australia based on their family relationship with a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444). This visa is ideal for partners and children of New Zealand citizens who wish to live and work in Australia on a longer-term basis without needing to become permanent residents immediately. 

Benefits of the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa

• Stay in Australia: Live in Australia for 5 years
• Work Rights: Work in Australia during your stay
• Study Rights: Study in Australia (without access to government funding for tertiary education)
• Travel: Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
• Renewable:  Option to apply for subsequent 461 visas if eligibility continues 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461), you must meet several criteria:

Relationship Requirements:

• Be a partner, child, or dependent family member of a New Zealand citizen who holds a Subclass 444 visa Have met your intended spouse in person and know them personally
• If applying as a partner, you must be in a genuine and ongoing de facto relationship or legally married
   

Age Requirement:

• Children must be under 18 or financially dependent if older 
• Partners must be over 18 years of age

Health and Character Requirements:

• Meet health requirements by undergoing a medical examination
• Meet character requirements by providing police certificates from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years

Visa Status of New Zealand Citizen:

• Your New Zealand citizen family member must be residing in Australia on a Subclass 444 visa (automatically granted upon arrival in most cases) 

Application Process

Prepare Your Documents:

• Gather documents to prove your identity, relationship, health, and character
• Evidence of your relationship can include photographs, engagement announcements, and statutory declarations

Lodge Your Application:

• Submit your application online through the Department of Home Affairs website
• Pay the visa application fee

Visa Processing:

• After submitting your application, you will need to wait for the visa to be processed while you remain outside Australia
•  Processing times vary depending on individual circumstances and completeness of your application 

Arrive in Australia:

• Once granted, you can travel in and out of Australia freely for the duration of your visa.

Required Documents

• Personal Documents: Valid passport, birth certificate, and national ID card
• Relationship Evidence: Photos together, travel itineraries, engagement announcements, and statutory declarations from friends and family
• Health and Character Evidence: Medical examination results and police certificates

Processing times

Processing times for the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) can vary. Generally, it takes between 12 to 16 months to process. Factors affecting processing times include the completeness of your application and the demand for this visa category.