Campaigning for the fair treatment of New Zealanders living in Australia

NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa (461)

04 July 2022
Photo: Department of Home Affairs website
Photo: Department of Home Affairs website

Protected Special Category Visa-holders

Eligible New Zealand Citizens, better known as Protected Special Category visa-holders, can no longer sponsor family members for a 461 visa, instead they need to sponsor their partner or child for a permanent visa.

Non-protected Special Category Visa-holders

The NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa (461) allows a New Zealand citizen who holds a non-protected Special Category Visa to sponsor family members who are not New Zealand citizens. They can sponsor:

All applicants, and the sponsoring New Zealand family member, must have passports that will be valid until the 461 visa is granted. If you change address or renew your passport update your ImmiAccount if you applied online, or use Form 929 notify the Department of Home Affairs.

If the Special Category Visa-holder sponsor is subsequently granted permanent residence they will need to sponsor their family members for a permanent visa when the current 461 visa expires.

You can no longer sponsor a parent for a 461 visa. In May 2017 the government announced a new five year Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa. The visa was expected to become available during the 2017/2018 financial year, but the legislation is still before the Senate. Sponsors must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Protected Special Category Visa-holder.

Fees

The application fees for NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa applicants are:

Processing time

The Department of Home Affairs reports processing times for New Zealand Citizen Family Relation Visa applications on its website.

Application form

NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa application form 147

For more information refer to the NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa (461) on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Have a question

Phone the Department of Home Affairs on 13 18 81 or contact them via social media. Please do not provide your personal details on a public forum.


Disclaimer:

The above “NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa” information should not be relied on as an alternative to advice from the Department of Home Affairs, or a professional immigration services provider.

If you have any specific questions about an immigration matter, you should consult the Department of Home Affairs or a professional immigration services provider.


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