New Zealand Family Relationship Visa
Subclass 461
Are you lucky in love with a New Zealand citizen? You could be eligible for New Zealand family Relationship Visa.
How to Apply for a NZ Family Relationship to Australia?
To be eligible for a Subclass 461 New Zealand Family Relationship Visa, a member of your family unit must be a New Zealand citizen, meaning that they either need to be your spouse or de facto partner. Your partner must be a New Zealand citizen who either holds a Subclass 444 Special Category Visa or is eligible to be granted a Subclass 444 Special Category Visa upon arrival to Australia.
What Relationship evidence do i need?
Partner visas are closely scrutinised by the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) and a successful application depends on the quality and quantity of evidence of your genuine and ongoing relationship. You will be assessed against four key aspects, which includes the financial aspects of the relationship, the social aspects of the relationship, the nature of the household, and the nature of the commitment. The team at Questa will work with you to build and improve your portfolio of evidence that supports your relationship, to dramatically improve your chances of success.
What is a De facto Relationship and 12 Months Cohabitation rule?
A de facto relationship would require evidence that you have lived with your partner for the last 12 months. The DOHA requires documentary evidence that you have lived together for 12 months prior to lodging your application.
If you are married, you do not need to show 12 months of cohabitation but will need to show that you are currently living together. If you have had your relationship registered in an Australian state or territory, you would be similarly exempt from the 12-month cohabitation requirement.
How long will it allow me to say in Australia?
The Subclass 461 New Zealand Family Relationship is a temporary visa that allows you to live in Australia for up to 5 years from the date of grant. During this time, you are permitted to work full time in Australia. At the end of the 5 years it may be possible to apply for another Subclass 461 New Zealand Family Relationship Visa, even if the relationship with your New Zealand citizen spouse or de facto partner has broken down.
Do I apply from in Australia or overseas?
You can apply for a Subclass 461 New Zealand Family Relationship Visa from within Australia (or from outside of Australia. Your location at the time of application determines where you must be at the time of grant. If you apply onshore you are eligible for a Bridging Visa A, allowing you live in Australia whilst waiting for the outcome of your visa application.
Will i have Work Rights?
Once your New Zealand Family Relationship Visa is granted, you have full work rights and you can live anywhere in Australia. If your New Zealand Family Relationship Visa is lodged whilst you are in Australia (this option is available to married and de facto couples), you may go onto a bridging visa that will allow you work during the processing time. We can tell you more about how this works.
Key takeaway
New Zealand Family Relationship Visas are closely scrutinised by the Immigration Department – a successful application depends on the quality and quantity of evidence of your genuine and ongoing relationship.
The team at Questra will work with you to build and improve your portfolio of evidence that supports your relationship, to dramatically improve your chances of success.
If you apply onshore from within Australia, you will be eligible for a Bridging Visa A – this allows you to live and work in Australia while you await the outcome of the application.
