Working Holiday Visa Updates and Granting of Permanent Resident status to NZ subclass 444 (SCV) Visa Holders

Papua New Guinea addition to the Work and Holiday Subclass 462 Visa

From 1 July Papua New Guinea is on the list of countries where its citizens are eligible to apply for the Work and Holiday subclass 462 visa if they match the further criteria below:

• Must be aged from 18 to 30 years of age.
• Must have completed at least two years of post-secondary education.
• Must have support from their government to apply for the visa.

UK citizens age increase to eligibility for Working Holiday Subclass 417 Visa

From 1 July 2023 the age of eligibility for UK citizens who can apply for the Working Holiday subclass 417 Visa has increased to 35 years of age.   As of the current date, UK Citizens must continue to satisfy the specified work requirements in order to apply for their subsequent subclass 417 visas.

For more information on the Working Holiday Visas and eligibility for second and third visas and specified work eligibility requirements for second and third visas please contact us.

Granting of Permanent Resident status to NZ subclass 444 (SCV) Visa Holders

From 1 July 2023 the determination of which NZ citizens are Permanent Residents of Australia for Australian Citizenship application purposes has changed:

• If subclass 444 (SCV) visa granted before 1 July 2022, then the holder is deemed to have become a Permanent Resident on 1 July 2022.
• If subclass 444 (SCV) visa granted on any day between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023, then the holder is deemed to have become a Permanent Resident on that relevant day.
• If subclass 444 (SCV) visa granted on or after 1 July 2023, then the holder is a Permanent Resident from the day of the grant.

This change provides eligibility, either immediate, or at a time in the future when further residence requirement criteria has been met for Australian Citizenship to the tens of thousands of NZ citizens on, or who have previously held subclass 444 (SCV) visas who did not arrive in Australia before the ‘magic’ date of 26 February 2001 which has, up to 1 July 2023 not given that person permanent resident status.

The changes itemised above now either deems a date on which a subclass 444 (SCV) visa holder became a permanent resident or provides for anyone who becomes a subclass 444 (SCV) visa holder from 1 July 2023 also becoming a permanent resident at the same time.

Please note that the information provided on this page is general only and is not legal advice for any individual’s circumstances.  If you would like to further discuss how this information relates to your situation please “Contact Us”