Special Category Visa (444)

This temporary visa allows you to visit, study, stay, and work in Australia, if you are a New Zealand citizen and meet the eligibility criteria. It is usually applied for each time you enter Australia. 

What You Can Do with This Visa

• Enter and stay in Australia as long as you are citizen of New Zealand. 
• Work, visit and study without needing a separate visa. 
• Travel in and out of Australia; each return may trigger a new SCV grant. 

Eligibility
You may be eligible if you:

• Are a New Zealand citizen with a valid NZ passport. 
• Meet health and character criteria (e.g., not a “health concern non-citizen” or “behaviour concern non-citizen”). 
• Do not hold a substantive Australian visa with a “no further stay” condition. 

How to Apply

• Most eligible NZ citizens are automatically granted the SCV on arrival in Australia when you present your NZ passport at immigration. 
• If you’re already in Australia under another visa and wish to switch to the SCV, you can apply online or via form for the SCV. 

Note: If you had a child born in Australia to an SCV holding parent on or after 1 July 2022 your child may have acquired Australian citizenship automatically by operation of law at the time of their birth. Children who meet these circumstances can apply for their proof of citizenship.