July 1 2023:
Australian Citizenship Direct Path for New Zealand
Changes to citizenship eligibility for New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV), will apply from 1 July 2023.
New Zealand citizens must meet the general residence requirement of being lawfully present in Australia for four years, including 12 months as a ‘permanent resident’, immediately before the date of citizenship application.
The law change means that time on the subclass 444 will qualify towards the ‘permanent residence’ requirement, and so you do not need to first apply for and be granted a permanent visa ; time on your SCV will be considered permanent residence for citizenship purposes with effect from 1 July 2023.
As a New Zealand citizen, you can apply for citizenship if you hold either:
- a permanent visa, or
- a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV)
Applicants are still required to meet other eligibility for citizenship, such as Character.
Contact Us for assistance with your Citizenship Application.
