NEW ZEALAND CITIZEN FAMILY RELATIONSHIP VISA (461)

Live, work and stay in Australia with your New Zealand citizen family member

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What is the 461 Visa?

The Subclass 461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa allows non-New Zealand citizens to live in Australia if they are a family member of a New Zealand citizen who is not an Australian permanent resident or citizen, and who holds or is eligible for a Subclass 444 Special Category visa.

This temporary visa is valid for up to five years and is renewable. It gives visa holders the right to live, work, and study in Australia.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is designed for individuals who:

You can apply from inside or outside Australia. If you are already holding a 461 visa, you may be able to renew it without needing to leave the country.

Key Benefits

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the 461 visa, you must:

Be a member of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen who holds or is eligible for a Special Category (Subclass 444) visa
Meet health and character requirements
Hold appropriate health insurance
If applying as a partner, provide evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship

In some cases, you may still be eligible to apply even if your relationship with the New Zealand citizen has ended, as long as you meet the renewal conditions.

461 Visa Renewal After Relationship Breakdown

You can apply to renew your 461 visa even if your relationship with the New Zealand citizen has ended, provided that:

You have spent at least two years in Australia in the last five years before applying
You continue to meet health and character requirements
You have not become a member of the family unit of another person (except another New Zealand citizen holding a 444 visa)
If you are applying from outside Australia, you held a 461 visa at the time you last left Australia

This provides flexibility for applicants who have made Australia their home but experienced a relationship breakdown.

461 Visa to Permanent Residency

The Subclass 461 visa does not offer a direct pathway to permanent residency. However, depending on your personal circumstances, you may become eligible to apply for another visa stream that leads to permanent residency, such as:

Our team can help assess your options and advise the most suitable pathway for your long-term stay in Australia.

How We Can Help

AustraliaMigrate provides personalised support for 461 visa applicants and renewals. Our experienced registered migration agents can assist with:

Initial eligibility assessment
Guidance on evidence requirements and relationship documentation
Support with applications after a relationship breakdown
Strategic advice on transitioning to permanent residency pathways
Ongoing compliance support during your stay in Australia

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We are a team of immigration specialists guiding individuals, families and corporates who aspire to migrate to Australia. Our migration consultancy has a successful track record in visa approval, with a fair fee structure.

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