The visa options available to New Zealanders does depend on how long and when they have resided in Australia as a New Zealand Citizen. We have successfully assisted many Kiwi’s attain permanent residency and ultimately Australia citizen.
This is the most straightforward and in many cases the best option if available. To be classed as an eligible New Zealand Citizen you need to have been present in Australia as a NZ citizen and such a subclass 444 visa holder on the date 26 January 2001. If not in Australia exactly on the date 26 January 2001 one can still be an eligible NZ Citizen if they were present for at least 1 year in the period 2 years prior to 26 January 2001.
Eligible New Zealand Citizens have a direct pathway to Australian Citizenship Application and do not need to attain a permanent visa.
New Zealanders in Australia prior to 1 September 1994 were at the time ‘exempt non-citizens’. Effectively a Kiwi in Australia prior to this date would have been a permanent resident. If this can be established there are some additional elements to attain RRV including demonstration of compelling reasons for absence and substantial ties of benefit to Australia. RRV is a permanent class of visa and once attained the holder can work toward the period of permanent residency required for Citizenship.
- 5 years of usual residence in Australia
- Period of 5 years residence must have commence on or prior to 19 February 2016
- Australian Tax Office (ATO) assessment notices for the 4 most recent years prior to application with an income level for each year greater than $53,900.00
- Medicals and police clearances to satisfy health and character criteria
If successful the subclass 189 is a permanent class of visa. The other distinct advantage this new process has for New Zealanders relates to proposed changes to Australian Citizenship requirements. If the proposed requirements are introduced people applying for Citizenship from permanent residency will require a period of 4 years in Australia as a permanent resident prior to lodging Citizenship application. However Kiwis with permanent residence through the subclass 189 New Zealand Stream will only require 1 year of permanent residence.
If non of the above options are available New Zealanders can seek permanent residence through any of the remaining visa programs. For Permanent Employer Sponsorship New Zealanders have access to concessions on the criteria where they have worked in a skilled occupation for the same employer for at least 2 years and the employer is willing to proceed through nomination application.
There are other options which may be available depending on your circumstances. As stated we have had great success assisting New Zealand Citizens in Australia to attain permanent residence and citizenship. Please contact us if you need consultation and assistance with your application.