Good news for New Zealanders! The Australian Government is giving you additional pathways to permanent residency and citizenship.
If you arrived here after 26 February 2001, you have lived in Australia for the last five years, and have shown a commitment and contribution to Australia, then this applies to you.
Where this new category fits
The new pathway sits within the Skilled Independent category of the general skilled migration stream. It applies to those on non-restricted Special Category Visa holders.
How can New Zealanders access this?
There are a number of criteria, as you can imagine. But in addition to mandatory residency requirements, contribution and community protection criteria, you will have to show that:
- You’ve been residing in Australia for the last 5 years
- You’ve contributed to Australia, and can prove it via tax returns
- You can pass mandatory health checks, character checks and security checks.
You will get a discount on the visa application charge
The visa application charge will have concessions for Kiwis. You will only have to pay 20% of the fee when you lodge your application.
How much is that charge? Each primary applicant usually pays $3600. Children are less, but still $900 or more depending on their ages. So, with the concession primary applicants will pay just $720.
Becoming a citizen is even easier on this pathway
Once you’ve been accepted as a permanent resident on this pathway, then providing you meet the criteria, it’s easier to become a citizen. You only have to wait 12 months to become a citizen, so long as you meet the ‘allowable absences’ requirement.
If you’re a New Zealander on a non-protected Special Category Visa, and you’d like to explore this new pathway, give us a call today » »
