New Zealand Nationals to be Eligible for New Permanent Residence Visa Category
February 23, 2016
On or after July 1, 2017, eligible New Zealand nationals currently in Australia holding a Special Category Visa will be eligible to apply for permanent residence under a new stream in the Skilled Independent visa category.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifying factors include the following criteria:
- Presence in Australia on or prior to February 19, 2016 as a Special Category Visa holder;
- Residence in Australia for at least five years immediately prior to visa application;
- Income for the last five years that meets or exceeds the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold, currently set at AUD 53,900 (limited exemptions apply); and
- Meeting mandatory health, character and security checks.
It is expected that approximately 60,000 - 70,000 New Zealand nationals currently in Australia under the Special Category Visa will be eligible for the new visa category.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals
Eligible New Zealand nationals should benefit from an additional pathway to permanent residence which, if granted, would also provide a route to citizenship. Interested applicants should contact their immigration professional to discuss application guidelines and income exemptions.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
MARN: 0004980
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Slocombe discusses what is considered US residency now that Prince Harry has changed his primary residence from the UK to US.
Media mentions
Director Willys Mac’Olale shares the impact the AfCFTA will have on Kenya’s economy and immigration policies.
Video
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio explains the process for posting foreign workers to France during the eagerly awaited 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce shares how a Supreme Court visa denial case could impact challenges to employment-based visa denials.
Awards
Partner Kevin Miner is selected by the Daily Report as a finalist in the “Legal Innovators” category of the publication’s 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Slocombe discusses what is considered US residency now that Prince Harry has changed his primary residence from the UK to US.
Media mentions
Director Willys Mac’Olale shares the impact the AfCFTA will have on Kenya’s economy and immigration policies.
Video
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio explains the process for posting foreign workers to France during the eagerly awaited 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce shares how a Supreme Court visa denial case could impact challenges to employment-based visa denials.
Awards
Partner Kevin Miner is selected by the Daily Report as a finalist in the “Legal Innovators” category of the publication’s 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.