Special Category Visa (Subclass 444)

To qualify for a Subclass 444 visa, you must meet specific nationality, health, and character criteria.

• Citizenship: You must be a citizen of New Zealand and hold a valid New Zealand passport. New Zealand permanent residents who do not hold citizenship are not eligible for this visa and must apply for a standard visitor or work visa before traveling.
• Physical Presence: You must be physically present at an Australian port of entry to be granted the visa.
• Health Standards: You must not be a health concern non-citizen. In most cases, this simply means being free from active tuberculosis.
• Character Standards: You must not be a behaviour concern non-citizen. You may be denied the visa if you:
  • Have a criminal record with a total sentence of 12 months or more (including suspended sentences).
  • Have been previously deported or excluded from any country.
• No Further Stay: You must not have a "No Further Stay" condition attached to a previous Australian visa that prevents the grant of a new one.

Protected vs. Non-Protected SCV Holders

The Australian government distinguishes between two types of SCV holders based on when they arrived in the country:

• Protected: Generally, those who were in Australia on February 26, 2001, or for specific periods immediately before that date. These individuals have access to a wider range of social security benefits (Centrelink).
• Non-Protected: Those who arrived after February 26, 2001. While these holders have full work rights, their access to certain social safety nets is more limited.