Subclass 444 — Special Category Visa — immi.wiki

The Subclass 444 Special Category visa (SCV) is a temporary visa granted automatically to New Zealand citizens when they arrive in Australia holding a valid New Zealand passport. New Zealand citizens do not need to apply for a visa before travelling to Australia — the SCV is applied for and granted at the border as part of the arrival process.

The SCV allows New Zealand citizens to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, provided they remain New Zealand citizens. The visa has no fixed expiry date tied to a calendar — it continues in effect as long as the holder remains a New Zealand citizen in Australia. It is, however, a temporary visa: it does not confer Australian permanent residence or citizenship rights.

Two categories of SCV holders exist: protected SCV holders and non-protected SCV holders. The distinction is significant because it determines access to some social support entitlements in Australia.

To be granted a Subclass 444 SCV, the person must:

• Be a New Zealand citizen
• Hold a valid New Zealand passport
• Present at an Australian port of entry or be otherwise assessed at the border
• Not be subject to an exclusion or a character bar that would prevent grant

Protected SCV holders are New Zealand citizens who were usually resident in Australia on 26 February 2001, or who were born in New Zealand to a parent who was an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of the birth. Protected SCV holders have access to social security payments in Australia on the same basis as Australian permanent residents.

Non-protected SCV holders are New Zealand citizens who arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001 and do not meet the above criteria. They generally do not have access to most Australian social security payments (including Centrelink payments and Medicare in some circumstances, though Medicare access depends on separate bilateral arrangements).

From 1 July 2023, the Australian Government expanded pathways for long-term New Zealand citizens living in Australia to access Australian permanent residence through the Subclass 189 (New Zealand stream). New Zealand citizens who have been in Australia on an SCV for 4 years or more may be eligible — refer to the Subclass 189 page for details.

There is no pre-departure application. When a New Zealand citizen arrives at an Australian port of entry with a valid New Zealand passport, the SCV is applied for and granted as part of the border clearance process. No ImmiAccount registration, no form submission, and no application charge applies.

If a New Zealand citizen is in Australia and their SCV has ceased (for example, because they acquired a different visa and it was cancelled), they may need to depart and re-enter to be granted a new SCV.

For current processing information, refer to the Department of Home Affairs SCV page.

The SCV carries no restrictive conditions on work or study. There is no sponsorship requirement, no occupation restriction, and no regional area condition. Holders may work for any employer in any occupation.

The SCV ceases if the holder ceases to be a New Zealand citizen (for example, if they renounce New Zealand citizenship). It also ceases if the holder is granted Australian citizenship or another substantive visa.

New Zealand citizens holding an SCV are subject to the same character and criminal law obligations as other temporary visa holders — a serious criminal conviction can result in visa cancellation and removal under s 501 of the Migration Act 1958.

For current application charges, refer to the DHA fee schedule. For current processing times, refer to global visa processing times.