NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa (461)
Direct citizenship pathway
Non-New Zealand citizen family members of New Zealand citizens can remain on their 461 visa. However, if the New Zealander is granted Australian citizenship the 461 visas held by family members cannot be renewed.
Instead, as an Australian citizen they can sponsor the family members for a permanent visa if they wish to remain in Australia beyond the term of their current visas.
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:
- their partner
- their child/step-child or their partner's child/step-child
- the dependent child their or their partner's child/step-child.
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 or Australian citizenship 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.
Fees
The application fees for NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa applicants at July 2023 are:
- primary applicant (partner) $430
- additional applicant aged 18 and over $220
- additional applicants aged under 18 $105
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
Related
For more information refer to the NZ Citizen Family Relationship Visa (461) on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Technical help
If you cannot resolve an issue with your application, refer to Common issues and error messages and ImmiAccount Technical Support on the Home Affairs website.
Have a question?
Click the Ask a Question box at the bottom of the Home Affairs website to use the digital assistant. It may not work with Mozilla Firefox in private browsing mode.
Alternatively, phone the Department of Home Affairs on 13 18 81.
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.