444 Special Category visa (SCV)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Special Category visa (SCV), subclass 444
Purpose	Visit, work and study
Stay	Until leaving Australia
Cost	Free
Eligibility timing	Usually applied for on entry
Work rights	Work permitted
Study	Study permitted
Medicare	See Medicare information for NZ citizens
Travel facility	Ends when leaving Australia
Citizenship	Permanent visa possible if eligible
Family sponsorship	Each family member applies separately
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Key eligibility	Valid New Zealand passport
Processing	Usually at airport or seaport

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Purpose

The Special Category visa (SCV) is a temporary visa for New Zealand citizens to enter, visit, work, study and stay in Australia.

You may apply for a permanent visa if eligible.

Eligibility

You must:

• Have a valid New Zealand passport.
• Remain a New Zealand citizen while holding the visa.
• Meet character requirements.
• Not hold a visa with a no further stay condition.
• Not currently hold a permanent visa.

You may be refused entry or an SCV if assessed as a behaviour concern non-citizen, including where you have:

• A death sentence or imprisonment sentence of at least one year.
• Two or more imprisonment sentences totalling at least one year.
• Relevant findings involving a crime committed while of unsound mind.
• Previously been removed or deported from Australia.
• Previously been removed, deported or excluded from another country.

A declaration of tuberculosis when entering Australia may result in assessment as a health concern non-citizen and a request for further information.

If you have a criminal-conviction concern, use the New Zealand passport holder criminal-conviction enquiry form before travelling.

Stay and travel

The visa starts on the grant date and remains valid until you leave Australia, provided you remain a New Zealand citizen.

It may also cease if:

• You are granted a permanent visa.
• You become an Australian citizen.
• The visa is cancelled.

You cannot leave Australia and return on the same SCV. The visa ceases when you leave, and you must apply for a new SCV when returning.

Permanent visa holders

If you hold a permanent visa with a valid travel facility, tell border officers that you do not want an SCV. If an SCV is granted, this may later affect Resident Return visa eligibility.

Rights and conditions

With an SCV, you can:

• Visit Australia.
• Work in Australia.
• Study in Australia.
• Apply for a permanent visa if eligible.

SCV holders have Australian workplace-law protections and must follow workplace laws. Confirm work permission and visa conditions through VEVO.

You must:

• Remain a New Zealand citizen.
• Obey Australian laws.
• Continue meeting character requirements.
• Tell the Department about relevant changes in circumstances.

If you cease being a New Zealand citizen, your SCV ceases. You must obtain another visa to remain lawful.

Health insurance and Medicare

Health insurance is recommended. You may be liable for your own healthcare costs in Australia.

The source provides Medicare information for New Zealand citizens and information on reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Family provisions

Each family member must make their own SCV application.

New Zealand citizen family members can apply by presenting:

• A valid New Zealand passport.
• A completed incoming passenger card.

They may also answer health and character questions through SmartGate.

Family members who are not New Zealand citizens need another visa.

How to apply

Applying on entry

You usually apply when entering Australia. Present your valid New Zealand passport and completed incoming passenger card to an officer, or answer the health and character questions using SmartGate.

Applications made on arrival are usually processed at the airport or seaport.

You cannot apply for an SCV on entry if you already hold another temporary visa. You may apply after entering Australia instead.

Applying after entry

You may be able to apply after entering Australia if you:

• Became a New Zealand citizen and passport holder after entry.
• Entered using a non-New Zealand passport.
• Entered on another temporary visa.
• Had a New Zealand citizen baby born in Australia.

Apply through the onshore SCV online form. The Department will contact you with an appointment time and may request further documents.

An onshore grant starts on the decision date and cannot be backdated to your original entry date.

Documents

For an onshore application, provide:

• Your valid New Zealand passport.
• An Australian birth certificate, if born in Australia on or before 30 June 2022 and you have not departed.
• Evidence of New Zealand citizenship, where required.

Provide accurate information and documents.

Non-English documents must be translated into English. Provide both original and translated documents. Australian translators must be NAATI-accredited. Overseas translators must include their name, address, telephone number, qualifications and experience in English.

Do not certify documents unless requested.

Children born in Australia

A child born in Australia to an SCV holder on or after 1 July 2022 may have acquired Australian citizenship automatically at birth. Eligible children can apply for proof of Australian citizenship and do not need an SCV first.

For a child born to an SCV holder on or before 30 June 2022, first ensure the child is registered as a New Zealand citizen and has a New Zealand citizenship certificate or passport before making an onshore SCV application.

Processing and lawful status

On-arrival applications are usually processed immediately at the airport or seaport. Onshore applications may take longer depending on individual circumstances.

While an onshore application is being processed, remain lawful by holding a valid visa. If your current visa may expire, consider a bridging visa:

• A Bridging visa A may be available if you held a substantive visa when applying.
• A Bridging visa C may be available if you did not hold a substantive visa when applying.

If your visa ceases or is cancelled and you do not hold a bridging visa, you may be unlawful and may be ineligible for certain bridging visas.

After grant

The SCV is electronically linked to your passport; no visa label is issued.

Use VEVO to check visa status, conditions and details, or obtain a visa record.

For onshore applications, the written decision will state the visa grant number, start date and conditions. Keep a copy for your records. If refused, the Department will give reasons and advise whether review rights exist.

Notify the Department

Tell the Department about relevant changes, including:

• Phone number, email or address changes.
• Citizenship changes, other than becoming an Australian citizen.
• The birth of a child.
• Withdrawal of an onshore application.