Direct Pathway to Australian Citizenship for New Zealand Citizens

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The Australian Government has announced today that from 1 July 2023 that New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia for at least 4 years can apply directly for Australian citizenship. This means that New Zealand citizens just need to hold the Special Category Visa (subclass 444 visa that is automatically granted to New Zealand passport holder on arrival to Australia). It will no longer be a requirement for a New Zealand citizen to first become a permanent resident to apply for Australian citizenship.

Any applicant for citizenship must meet the residence requirement which requires them to have not been absent from Australia for more than 12 months within the 4 years prior to application, and not absent from Australia for more than than 90 days in the 12 months prior to application.

The residence requirement will also apply to New Zealand citizens who hold a Special Category Visa.

The changes will also apply for New Zealand citizens who are currently overseas and have been in Australia within the last 4 years as a Special Category Visa holder, provided that they meet the residence requirement.

The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a commitment in July 2022 to ensure that viable pathways to Australian citizenship were created for New Zealand citizens living in Australia. The Australian Government have now delivered on that promise.

About the author

Nick Hansen

Nick has been a Registered Migration Agent since 2016 when he founded Hansen Migration. Since then he has helped many migrants obtain permanent residency in Australia and Australian citizenship.

About the author

Robyn Vogels

Robyn Vogels founded Personnel Relocations in 2008 to support people moving to Australia. Her personal experience from across the world defined her understanding of the intense process of relocation, especially when moving with families and children. She strongly believes that relocations are life-affirming transitions and ought to be handled with care.

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Looking for more details on the different visas and the requirements? We’ve put together this handy guide to help answer your questions. Just click below to download a copy today.

If you’ve still got questions after reading it, don’t stress – we can help. Book a free consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents today.

My name is Geraldine (Gonzales) Darling. I am from the Philippines and now living in Melbourne, Victoria Australia. I am very grateful to have known Hansen Migration and partnered with them in getting our Partner Visa. Prior to Hansen Migration, the biggest pain-point was the daunting amount of information that we needed to research for our unique situation. Me and my partner Adam Darling (now my husband) had been in long distance relationship for some periods. Then COVID happened and then I got stuck in the Philippines and was pregnant of our first son. Hansen Migration went over and above, giving us valued support. Because our situation got tangled with COVID and lockdowns, they helped us get an exemption letter and submitted it to immigration for my entry to Australia. Fast forward, and now here I am in Australia, living with my husband and with our 2 sons in our humble home we built. I am forever grateful for Hansen Migration who has helped our family reach this milestone in our life.

Geraldine and Adam Darling

Direct Pathway to Australian Citizenship for New Zealand Citizens

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