The Subclass 461 visa, also known as the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa, is a temporary visa that allows the partners of New Zealand citizens to live and work in Australia for up to five years.
The Subclass 461 visa, also known as the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa, is a temporary visa option for partners and dependent children of New Zealand citizens who are living and working in Australia.
Under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, New Zealand citizens can live and work in Australia indefinitely, but their partners and dependent children do not have the same automatic right to reside in Australia. The Subclass 461 visa was created to allow partners and dependent children of New Zealand citizens to live with them in Australia for up to five years.
To be eligible for the Subclass 461 visa, the applicant must be the partner or dependent child of a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category visa (subclass 444). The applicant must also meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being in a genuine and ongoing relationship with the New Zealand citizen, passing a health examination and character test, and providing evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves while in Australia.
This visa is specifically designed for partners who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents but are in a genuine and ongoing relationship with a New Zealand citizen who is living and working in Australia.
To be eligible for the Subclass 461 visa, the applicant must be in a de facto relationship or a married relationship with a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category visa (SCV) and is living and working in Australia.
In addition, the applicant must meet certain health and character requirements, and must not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government. The applicant must also provide evidence to show that they have been in a genuine and ongoing relationship with the New Zealand citizen for at least 12 months.
One of the benefits of the Subclass 461 visa is that it allows the holder to work and study in Australia during the validity of the visa. The visa holder can also travel in and out of Australia as many times as they like, and can include dependent children in the application.
Another benefit of the Subclass 461 visa is that it provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. After living in Australia for at least three years on the Subclass 461 visa, the visa holder may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
It is important to note that the Subclass 461 visa is a temporary visa, and it does not provide the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or permanent residents. For example, the visa holder may not be eligible for certain social services and benefits, such as Medicare or social security payments.
The Subclass 461 visa is an excellent option for partners of New Zealand citizens who wish to live and work in Australia for a temporary period. It provides the opportunity to work, study and travel in Australia, as well as a pathway to permanent residency. However, it is important to ensure that all eligibility criteria are met, and that the application is submitted accurately and on time.
