Special Category visa (Subclass 444)

Overview

Subclass 444 SCV Visa or Special Category Visa Class TY Subclass 444 visa is for New Zealand passport holders granted on arrival in Australia and is a temporary visa. This visa also lets the visa holders study, work, and stay in Australia as long as they remain New Zealand citizens. The Subclass 444 visa’s validity starts the moment a New Zealand citizen arrives in Australia and will cease once he/she leaves Australia. If a New Zealand citizen wants to come back to Australia, he/she will be automatically granted this special visa. 

The process to become a permanent resident on a permanent visa depends on when you first arrived in Australia on a New Zealand passport:

• before 1/9/1994: you may be eligible for a Resident Return visa (RRV). This will depend on your circumstances, in particular:

  • if you were residing in Australia before this date, and

  • the length of time of your residence.
    

• on or after 1/9/1994: you must apply for, and meet the criteria for an alternative permanent visa.

The process to become an Australian citizen depends on when you first arrived in Australia on a New Zealand passport:

• On or before 26 February 2001: Check if you are an eligible New Zealand citizen. Note: if you are a New Zealand citizen who was born in Australia, you may already be an Australian citizen by operation of law (see Citizenship).

After 26 February 2001: You must first become a permanent resident. Then you can apply for citizenship.

Benefits

• enter and stay in Australia for as long as you remain a New Zealand citizen

• visit, work, and study in Australia

• apply for a permanent visa if eligible

Eligibility

• New Zealand citizen holding a New Zealand passport that is in effect and

• meet specific health and character requirements and

• upon arrival in Australia present a completed incoming passenger card

• Not be a behaviour concern non-citizen

Cost

There is no cost in applying for this visa 

Accreditation