Special Category visa (subclass 444)

Sunday 5 November 2023

SPECIAL CATEGORY VISA (SCV)

The Special Category visa (subclass 444) is a temporary visa that allows New Zealand citizens to visit, study, stay, and work in Australia. This visa is applied for each time you enter Australia.

Process

To be eligible for the Special Category visa, you must:

Remain a New Zealand citizen
Continue to meet the character requirements

With this visa, you can

Enter and stay in Australia for as long as you are a New Zealand citizen
Visit, work, and study in Australia
Apply for a permanent visa if eligible

Visa Stay

The Special Category visa starts on the date it is granted and ceases on the date you leave Australia, unless it ceases due to other reasons such as being granted a permanent visa, becoming an Australian citizen, or having the visa cancelled. If you want to enter Australia again, you must apply for a new SCV.

Visa Cost

The Special Category visa (subclass 444) is free of charge.

Visa Processing Time

If you apply for the SCV on arrival in Australia, your application will be processed at the airport or seaport. If you apply inside Australia, the processing time may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

With this visa, you can

Enter and stay in Australia for as long as you are and continue to remain a New Zealand citizen
Visit, work, and study in Australia
Apply for a permanent visa if eligible

How Long You Can Stay

Include Family

Each family member needs to make their own SCV application. They can do this by showing a valid New Zealand passport and completed incoming passenger card to an officer. If family members are not New Zealand citizens, they need to apply for another visa.

Cost

There is no application charge for the Special Category visa (subclass 444).

Apply

You usually apply for this visa when you enter Australia. In some cases, you may be able to apply for this visa after you have entered Australia if you became a New Zealand citizen and passport holder after entering, entered on a passport that is not a New Zealand passport, entered on another temporary visa, or had a New Zealand citizen baby born in Australia. In these cases, you can apply by completing the online form. If the SCV is granted after you have entered Australia, the grant date will be the date of the decision.

If you had a child born in Australia to an SCV holding parent ON OR BEFORE 30 JUNE 2022, ensure that the child has been registered as a New Zealand Citizen and has received a New Zealand citizenship certificate and/or a New Zealand passport. Once the child has the necessary documentation, an onshore SCV application can be submitted via the Onshore visa application form. If you had a child born to an SCV holding parent ON OR AFTER 1 JULY 2022, the child may have acquired Australian citizenship automatically and can apply for proof of citizenship.

Before submitting an application, check if you already hold a visa or get a copy of it by using VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online). To access VEVO, you will need a reference number.

Your Obligations

While holding the Special Category visa, you must remain a New Zealand citizen and obey Australian laws. All visa holders must continue to meet the character requirements, and failure to do so may result in visa cancellation.

Health Insurance

We recommend taking out health insurance to cover any unforeseen medical treatment you might need in Australia. You may be liable for your own healthcare costs while in Australia, and insurance can help limit your financial liability.

Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements

Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some countries. For more information about reciprocal healthcare agreements, you can contact Services Australia.

Travel

You cannot travel outside Australia and return on the Special Category visa. If you leave Australia, the visa will cease, and you must apply for a new SCV when you return.

Travelling as a Permanent Visa Holder

If you hold a permanent visa with a valid travel facility, you need to inform us that you do not want an SCV. Failure to do so may result in the grant of an SCV, which could affect your eligibility for a Resident Return visa.

Eligible New Zealand Citizen (or Protected SCV Holder)

For information about eligibility as an eligible New Zealand citizen or Protected SCV holder, please refer to the relevant section on the website.

Visa Label

The Special Category visa will be digitally linked to your passport, and you will not receive a physical label in your passport.

Have a Valid New Zealand Passport

To be granted the Special Category visa, you must have a valid New Zealand passport.

Not be a Behaviour Concern Non-Citizen

If you have been convicted of a crime resulting in a sentence of death or imprisonment, charged with and found guilty of a crime while of unsound mind, or have been removed or deported from Australia or another country in the past, you may be assessed as a behaviour concern non-citizen (BCNC) and may be refused the SCV.

Not be a Health Concern Non-Citizen

If you declare that you have tuberculosis (TB) when entering Australia, you may be assessed as a health concern non-citizen. Further information will be requested in such cases.

Not Have a 'No Further Stay' Visa Condition

You cannot apply for the Special Category visa if you currently hold a visa that has a 'no further stay' condition.

Before You Apply

If you had a child born in Australia to an SCV holding parent ON OR AFTER 1 JULY 2022, the child may have acquired Australian citizenship automatically and does not need to apply for an SCV. Ensure you have a valid New Zealand passport before traveling to Australia. You can apply for the SCV if you already hold another temporary visa after entering Australia. However, if you currently hold a permanent visa or a visa with a 'no further stay' condition, you cannot apply for the SCV.

Check Your Visa Details and Status

Before applying for the SCV, check if you already hold a visa by using VEVO. To access VEVO, you will need a reference number.

Check Your Passport

You must have a valid New Zealand passport to be granted the Special Category visa.

Gather Your Documents

Ensure you have the following documents:

Valid New Zealand passport
Australian Birth Certificate (if born in Australia on or before 30 JUNE 2022 and have not departed)

Provide accurate information and apply for the visa when entering Australia or online if applying after entering.

After You Apply

If you apply for the SCV on arrival in Australia, your application will usually be processed at the airport or seaport. If you apply after entering Australia, a decision may take longer. Wait for us to contact you with a date and time for your appointment.

Stay Lawful

If you apply for the SCV after entering Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while your application is being processed. If your current visa will expire before a decision is made on your SCV application, consider applying for a Bridging visa to maintain lawful status.

Tell Us If Things Change

If there are any changes to your phone number, email, address, citizenship, or if you want to withdraw your onshore application, inform us as soon as possible.

Visa Outcome

If your visa application is granted, we will let you know in writing. The visa will be electronically linked to your passport, and you can check your visa status, conditions, and expiry in VEVO. If your visa application is refused, we will also notify you in writing and provide information about your review rights.

In Australia

Inform us about any changes in your situation, such as changes to your phone number, email, address, citizenship (other than becoming an Australian citizen), or the birth of a child. If you had a child born in Australia to an SCV holding parent ON OR AFTER 1 JULY 2022, they may have acquired Australian citizenship automatically and can apply for proof of citizenship.

What You Can Do on Your Visa

You can check your visa status, conditions, and expiry in VEVO. To prove you have a visa, show your visa conditions or get a copy of it, use VEVO with your reference number.

Proving You Have a Visa

To prove you have a visa, show your visa conditions or get a copy of it, use VEVO with your reference number.

Working

As an SCV holder, you have the right to work in Australia. To confirm your permission to work, use VEVO. Make sure to follow Australia's workplace laws and be aware of your rights and entitlements.

Leaving Australia

Before You Leave

Before leaving Australia, make sure you have a valid passport or other travel document.

At the Border

To leave the airport faster, you can use SmartGate, an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport.

After You Leave

If you worked in Australia, you may have money in a superannuation fund. Learn how to access your super. You can also request your international movement records to prove your visit to Australia.