Australia•OceaniaSpecial Category visa (subclass 444)
At a Glance
Processing Time
~0 days
Application Fee
Free
Stay Duration
Indefinite
Renewable
Yes
Job Offer
Not Required
Dependents
Not Specified
PR Pathway
No
This visa does not offer a direct route to permanent residency.Remote Work
Not Required
Overview
Temporary visa for New Zealand citizens allowing indefinite stay, work, and study in Australia. Granted on arrival with valid NZ passport. Pathway to Australian citizenship.
The Special Category visa (subclass 444) is specifically for New Zealand citizens. It allows indefinite stay in Australia and is granted automatically on arrival with a valid NZ passport. From 1 July 2023, SCV holders can apply directly for Australian citizenship.
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Requirements
Personal
Passport Validity
Valid New Zealand passport required months
Criminal Record Policy
case_by_case
Eligible Nationalities
This visa is available to citizens of: NZ
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid New Zealand passport
Current passport with validity
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Advantages
- Granted automatically on arrival
- No visa application needed
- Indefinite stay in Australia
- Can work and study freely
- Can apply for citizenship directly
Considerations
- Restricted to New Zealand citizens only
- Requires current NZ passport
- Not a permanent residency visa
Application Process
Ensure valid NZ passport
Must have current valid New Zealand passport
Arrive in Australia
Enter Australia by air, sea, or land
Declaration on arrival
Complete declaration at border (if needed)
Receive SCV
Visa is granted automatically on entry
Application Forms
No application form required
Ready to Apply?
Check your eligibility first to see how well you match this visa
