Subclass 461 to Australia

New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa

The NZ Citizens Family Relationship visa (subclass 461) is a temporary visa that allows the visa holder to live and work in Australia for up to 5 years.

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New Zealand Citizen
Family Relationship Visa

The NZ Citizens Family Relationship visa (subclass 461), more commonly known as the New Zealand Partner visa to Australia, allows family members of a New Zealand citizen to live and work in Australia for up to five years.

That means that if you are a de facto or spousal partner of a NZ citizen, you can apply for this visa.

You can apply for this visa both inside and outside of Australia.

You need to be an eligible family member (de facto or spousal partner) of someone living in Australia on a subclass 444 visa or be traveling to Australia with a family member who will be granted a Subclass 444 on arrival.

If you do apply from within Australia, you would be granted a bridging visa that will allow you to remain in Australia.

461 Visa Benefits

Live and work in Australia for up to 5 years

Travel to and from Australia

Include members of the family unit

Can be applied for multiple times

461 Visa Eligibility

You must be related to the New Zealand citizen as one of the following:

their partner (de facto or spousal) or

their child

461 Visa Cost

As of July 2025, the visa costs $445.

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De Facto Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the 461 – NZ citizen family relationship visa (as a de facto partner):

Z

Married or in de facto relationship

The applicant must be in a married or de facto relationship with an NZ citizen

Z

In a genuine relationship

The couple must have a genuine relationship and a commitment to a shared life together.

Z

Live together

The couple must live together, or only be separated temporarily

Be of good health and character

You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.

Z

No outstanding debts

Must have no outstanding debts the Australian Government

Frequently Asked Questions

In case you don’t find an answer to your question, feel free to consult with one of our agents.

Is the 461 – New Zealand partner visa permanent?

No, the 461 visa is not permanent. The visa is temporary and is valid for 5 years, but you can apply to extend the visa for another 5 years if you are still with your NZ partner.

How long does the 461 visa take to process?

Processing times for the 461 visa vary widely and the Department of Home Affairs does not publish a fixed timeframe for it, as it’s an “other family” visa subject to capping and queueing rather than demand-driven processing. As a rule of thumb, onshore applications tend to take longer than offshore ones, and a complete application with all relationship evidence, health checks and police certificates lodged upfront helps avoid unnecessary delays. For the most current estimate, check the Department’s global visa processing times page, since these figures are updated regularly.

Can you apply for the 461 visa from onshore?

Yes, you can apply for the 461 visa from onshore or offshore.

Do you get a bridging visa if you apply for the 461 visa?

Yes, if you apply for the 461 visa from onshore, you should be granted a bridging visa that will allow you to remain in Australia (provided you meet the requirements to lodge a valid application).

Can my New Zealand partner sponsor me for an Australian visa?

Yes, that is what the 461 visa is. It allows NZ citizens to sponsor their partners to live with them in Aus

Does the 461 visa lead to PR?

Unfortunately, the 461 visa by itself does not leave to PR. However on the 461 visa, you could look to apply for different permanent visa options.

What happens if I break up with my partner on a 461 visa?

If you break up with your partner whilst holding a 461 visa, you should notify immigration. Your visa would be cancelled and you would need to either leave Australia or apply for another visa.

Can I lodge my 461 visa online?

Generally speaking, if you are in Australia, you would need to lodge a paper application for a 461 visa.

What are my work rights on a 461 visa?

When you hold a 461 visa, you would usually have full work rights

If I don’t meet the de facto requirements, can I apply for a 461 visa?

You can only apply for the 461 visa if you meet the requirements as a family member of an NZ citizen. Perhaps you could build up the evidence to meet the de facto requirement on another visa, like a student or working holiday visa.

What documents are required for the 461 visa?

To apply for the 461 visa, you will need a lot of documents. You will need to demonstrate you meet the de facto requirement, plus provide personal documentation such as – passports, passport photos, police clearances, birth certificates etc…It is recommended to chat with a registered migration agent to go through a full list of required documents.

GET IN TOUCH

In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.

Contact details

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