In a significant announcement made by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, alongside the Minister of Home Affairs, starting from 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens residing in Australia will no longer be required to obtain a permanent visa to apply for Australian citizenship. This new development aims to address the long-standing concerns of many New Zealanders and strengthen the bond between the two nations.
The process of obtaining Australian citizenship through conferral has traditionally necessitated holding an Australian permanent visa for a minimum of 12 months. However, this requirement has posed challenges for New Zealand citizens, as they may not meet the criteria for skilled or family visas, despite having resided in Australia for extended periods. Typically, New Zealanders qualify for a Special Category visa (subclass 444) by virtue of their NZ passports, without even realizing they hold a visa. These temporary visas expire upon departure from Australia, leading to a lack of a clear pathway to permanent residency.
Efforts to provide a dedicated permanent visa pathway for New Zealand citizens have been sporadic, especially since the distinction between NZ citizens and eligible NZ citizens led to the loss of access to various government benefits in 2001. The most recent opportunity, the subclass 189 Independent visa under the New Zealand stream, closed on 10 December 2022, requiring applicants to have been usually resident in Australia for at least five continuous years, among other criteria.
Direct Pathway to Australian Citizenship:
Rather than establishing another permanent visa avenue, the Australian government has decided to eliminate the need for a permanent visa. Starting from 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens will be able to apply for Australian citizenship while holding a Special Category visa. They will still need to meet the residency requirement of having lived in Australia for at least four years, as is mandatory for all other applicants.
Given the special relationship between Australia and New Zealand, this policy change is welcomed as a significant reform. However, it is essential that all other requirements, such as being of good character, continue to be applied uniformly. This transformative measure not only addresses the concerns of New Zealand citizens but also strengthens the ties between the two nations, fostering greater integration and cooperation.
The removal of the permanent visa requirement for New Zealand citizens applying for Australian citizenship signifies a positive step forward in trans-Tasman relations. This change will streamline the citizenship process, providing a direct pathway for New Zealanders to become Australian citizens and enjoy the benefits of full integration into Australian society.
