New Zealand citizens,before coming to Australia do not need to apply for a visa They will be granted a Subclass 444 Special Category Visa (SCV) on arrival In most cases.This visa allows New Zealand citizens to work , study and live in Australia for as long as they want. Therefore, many New Zealand citizens for a permanent visa in Australia do not apply. However, the SCV visa is not always a direct pathway to Australian citizenship, If you want to enjoy the benefits of being an Australian citizen and if you are thinking of becoming an Australian citizen.
You will not automatically get permanent residency status in Australia, If you move to Australia as an NZ citizen. However, you will have a Special Category visa this does not mean you have permanent residency but that means you can live, study and work in Australia for as long as you like. You can also get Citizenship by conferral means you are considered a permanent resident of Australia, Once you have this visa. If you meet the residence requirement you will be eligible to apply for citizenship.To get more information about this contact migration agency in Sydney – IME Advisor.
You need to apply for permanent residency. Permanent residency means you can:
- You cannot receive these benefits until 2 years after being made a permanent resident in Australia – apply for unemployment or sickness benefits
- become an Australian citizen and,
- who want to apply for permanent residency sponsor family members
What are the benefits of being an Australian citizen? Below are the benefits of being Australian citizen:
- Visa-free travel
- Participate in Australian politics
- Federal government jobs
- Australian consular support
- Vote in elections
Eligible New Zealand Citizen
You are an protected SCV holder or eligible New Zealand citizen, if you:
- You were in Australia on an SCV on 26 February 2001
- Have Centrelink certificate that shows you were living in Australia from before 26 February 2001
- You have spent at least 12 months in Australia on an SCV in the two years immediately before 26 February 2001, even if you were outside Australia on 26 February 2001
Arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001
You’ll need to apply for permanent residencybefore you can become an Australian citizen, If you miss the cut-off date (26 February 2001)you are able to apply for citizenship by conferral, Once you have permanent residency in Australia.
It takes approximately 15 to 25 months to process and the cost of this visa is $4,045.
Skilled Independent visa Subclass 189 – New Zealand Stream:
New Zealand stream – Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa is one permanent visa option for New Zealand citizens. To be eligible, you must take-up of the SC 189 New Zealand Stream visa to promote.
SC 444 Special Category visa the government has extended the eligibility, holders who meet the income threshold of the last five for at least three income years (previously out of 5 , four years). More information will be provided by the government in the future regarding this announcement.
To be eligible for the SC 189 New Zealand Stream visa Under the new changes, the applicant must:
- Have started living in Australia on or before 19 February 2016
- Be holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa
- Meet health, character and security checks.
- For at least the last 5 years have resided in Australia
- Have the taxable income prior to lodging an application above the income threshold for at least 3 of the last 5 income years
To become a permanent resident in Australia there are other pathways for you, If you do not meet the requirement for a Subclass 189 – New Zealand stream.
- Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190
- Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189
- Partner Visa – Subclass 801/820
- Employer Nomination Scheme – Subclass 186
