Subclass 461 — New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa — immi.wiki

The Subclass 461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa allows non–New Zealand citizen family members (including spouses, de facto partners, and dependent children) of New Zealand citizens holding a Subclass 444 Special Category Visa to live and work in Australia for up to 5 years. New Zealand citizens themselves enter Australia under the Subclass 444, which is granted automatically at the border — the Subclass 461 covers their family members who are not themselves New Zealand citizens.

The Subclass 461 does not provide a pathway to permanent residence in its own right. Family members who wish to obtain Australian permanent residence must apply through a permanent visa stream (such as a partner visa or skilled visa) independently.

• The applicant must be a family member (spouse, de facto partner, or dependent child) of a New Zealand citizen who holds or is eligible for the Subclass 444 Special Category Visa
• The applicant must not themselves be a New Zealand citizen (NZ citizens get the Subclass 444 automatically)
• Health and character requirements must be satisfied
• The New Zealand citizen family member must be in Australia at the time of the application, or the applicant may apply from outside Australia if the NZ citizen is also outside Australia

Applications are lodged via ImmiAccount and require evidence of the relationship with the New Zealand citizen holder, including proof of the NZ citizen's status. The Subclass 461 is typically granted quickly once eligibility is established.

The Subclass 461 is a temporary visa valid for up to 5 years. The holder has full work and study rights. The visa is tied to the relationship with the New Zealand citizen — if that relationship ends, the holder's continued eligibility may be affected. There is no direct pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 461 itself.