Why Choose the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461)?

The New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461) allows non-New Zealand family members of eligible New Zealand citizens to live, work, and study in Australia for up to five years. This temporary visa offers a flexible and renewable pathway for families to stay together in Australia—without requiring permanent residency upfront.

This visa is ideal for partners and dependent children of New Zealand citizens who are not Australian permanent residents or citizens but wish to live in Australia as a family unit.

Key Benefits of the Subclass 461 Visa

• Live in Australia for up to 5 years

• Work and study without restrictions

• Travel in and out of Australia freely during the visa validity

• Renew the visa while remaining in Australia

• Stay in Australia without needing to apply for permanent residency immediately

Who Can Apply for the 461 Visa?

You may be eligible if you are:

• The partner, child, or dependent relative of a New Zealand citizen who is living in Australia on a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444)

• Not a New Zealand citizen yourself

• Not an Australian permanent resident or citizen

• Willing to live with or remain closely connected to the New Zealand citizen family member

This visa is open to spouses, de facto partners, and children, even if the relationship began after the New Zealand citizen moved to Australia.

Visa Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Subclass 461 visa, you must:

• Be a member of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen who is in Australia on a Subclass 444 visa

• Not be a New Zealand citizen yourself

• Be outside Australia when applying for the first time (unless applying for a renewal while onshore)

• Meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian Government

• Provide evidence of your relationship, dependency, or legal guardianship

Health and Character Checks

All applicants must:

• Undergo a medical examination to meet Australia’s health standards

• Provide police clearance certificates from countries lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years (from age 16)

Who Can Be Included in the Application?

You can include:

• Your spouse or de facto partner

• Dependent children or stepchildren

Each family member must meet visa criteria and provide required documents. All included applicants must be part of the same family unit.

Renewing the Subclass 461 Visa

The 461 visa can be renewed from within Australia, even if the relationship with the original New Zealand citizen has ended—if you continue to meet certain conditions (e.g., custody of children or domestic violence provisions).

This makes the visa flexible and family-friendly, especially for long-term residents.

Processing Time and Considerations

• Average processing times vary, depending on application complexity and document completeness

• Applications lodged with strong evidence and accurate documentation are processed more efficiently

• The visa is not subject to annual caps, offering faster turnaround in many cases

Need Help with a 461 Visa Application?

At Rozario Enterprises, we specialize in helping families stay together in Australia—regardless of nationality. From identifying your eligibility and gathering relationship evidence to submitting complete, accurate applications, we guide you every step of the way.

Whether you're joining your New Zealand citizen partner or renewing your visa in Australia, our experienced consultants ensure a smooth and stress-free process.

Family isn’t bound by borders.
Choose Rozario Enterprises—your reliable guide for the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461) and all your migration needs.