Expedited Citizenship pathway and streamlined Permanent Residence processing introduced for New Zealand citizens
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Following on from the announcements to the October Budget, on 10 December 2022 the Government announced the New Zealand stream of the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa has been temporarily closed to new applications to allow for streamlining measures to be introduced for applications currently in the processing queue.
Current applications receiving priority processing
Current applications lodged prior to 10 December 2022 will receive priority processing and be subject to reduced eligibility requirements relating to residence, income thresholds and health to allow for faster processing for already lodged applications of New Zealanders that were living in Australia and assisting throughout the pandemic.
Expedited citizenship pathway for subclass 189 visa holders
The Australian Citizenship (Permanent Resident) Determination Legislative Instrument which came into force on 12 December 2022, provides an expedited pathway to Australian Citizenship for Subclass 189 (New Zealand stream) visa holders. The Instrument provides that any person granted this visa between 31 December 2021 and 1 July 2023 are and will be deemed to have been a permanent resident of Australia from 1 January 2022. This means that all visa holders approved under this pathway between the above dates may be able to apply for Australian Citizenship from 1 January 2023.
Streamlined process to come
New applications for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa through the New Zealand stream or similarly introduced visa, will be able to be made from 1 July 2023 after the Government has established the new migration and citizenship pathways for New Zealand citizens in Australia in order to be more reflective of the link between the two countries.
How MK’s Migration team can help
Our expert immigration lawyers have extensive experience with facilitating travel ban exemption requests and assisting with complex immigration matters. Please contact our offices should you, or someone you know require assistance.
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Expedited Citizenship pathway and streamlined Permanent Residence processing introduced for New Zealand citizens
Following on from the announcements to the October Budget, on 10 December 2022 the Government announced the New Zealand stream of the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa has been temporarily closed to new applications to allow for streamlining measures to be introduced for applications currently in the processing queue.
Current applications receiving priority processing
Current applications lodged prior to 10 December 2022 will receive priority processing and be subject to reduced eligibility requirements relating to residence, income thresholds and health to allow for faster processing for already lodged applications of New Zealanders that were living in Australia and assisting throughout the pandemic.
Expedited citizenship pathway for subclass 189 visa holders
The Australian Citizenship (Permanent Resident) Determination Legislative Instrument which came into force on 12 December 2022, provides an expedited pathway to Australian Citizenship for Subclass 189 (New Zealand stream) visa holders. The Instrument provides that any person granted this visa between 31 December 2021 and 1 July 2023 are and will be deemed to have been a permanent resident of Australia from 1 January 2022. This means that all visa holders approved under this pathway between the above dates may be able to apply for Australian Citizenship from 1 January 2023.
Streamlined process to come
New applications for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa through the New Zealand stream or similarly introduced visa, will be able to be made from 1 July 2023 after the Government has established the new migration and citizenship pathways for New Zealand citizens in Australia in order to be more reflective of the link between the two countries.
How MK’s Migration team can help
Our expert immigration lawyers have extensive experience with facilitating travel ban exemption requests and assisting with complex immigration matters. Please contact our offices should you, or someone you know require assistance.