ljj

Booked my appointment yesterday for citizenship interview at the end of this month.

Been here 2 years I wonder if they will still accept us now?

Louise

renth

Scossie,

Chill man, you'll be fine. Sure they will have to "draw a line in the sand" but the legslation needs to be tabled and passed. You'll have your letter from the minister long before then.

Looks like the "just stay 2 years, get my citizenship and piss off back to the UK" brigade will be stuffed though.

jasonK944

The 2 year timeframe is an emotional barrier that I had set myself when I first thought about coming to Aus. My plan was to stay that long ad then at least the kids would have passports that would enable them to return at anytime in the future. I am not planning to move on but am still pissed off that the citizenship will now be extended to 3 years.

I know someone said between 3 and 9 months before the legislation is passed but does anyone know a more accurate time frame. I have got 3.5 months left before I hit the two years and so it could be borderline for me.

Scossie

Yeah, I think you're right. Just got a bit panicky when I saw this cos we've been eligible for 4 months & only applied last week!

As for the, "2 years then piss off back" brigade, I have no sympathy for them!
It's a privilege to even be eligible to move to Oz, and a lot of good people who want to emigrate here simply can't.

The bugger off brigade are spoiling it for people who really want to commit to Australia for the rest of their lives!

renth

Damn Skippy!

bondipom

This is coming in 2 months before I am due for citizenship. Looks like the proposals for taking into account temp partner visa time in Australia are being ditched. I have been with the Mrs 7 years, have an Australian child, been married for nearly 3 years. Perversley I could be a Citizen by now if I had delayed my initial application and waited until I was eligible for PR and spent less time in Australia.

I shall be writing to the relevant members of parliament.

renth

Hey BP, that's pretty tough mate, how can you be sure when exactly it's coming in? When will you be eligible for citizenship under this new rule?

bridiej

Not sure how they will play this, will they just say everybody needs to be in the country 3 years regardless of whether their 2 years might be coming up in the next month, or even couple of weeks?

Or will this be for people who are granted their visas AFTER the legislation is in place?

Or will it be for people who enter Australia AFTER the legislation is in place?

I guess Jeremy is right and it doesnt make a huge amount of difference, but I was certainly looking forward to having an Aus passport in a couple of years...

jasonK944

Yes Westfield Boy, how do you know the dates?

NewOZ

I need 7 months
it seems i have to add another 12 months = 19 months
this is not fare

JAJ

Quite the contrary - it looks like they are going ahead with Hardgrave's 2004 changes as well:

The announcement on the citizenship website says:


"The draft legislation will also give effect to changes announced by the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs on 7 July 2004."

Jeremy

JAJ

1. It will take a few months at least before the legislation is drafted and passed through Parliament.

2. Those who *apply* for citizenship before the new law comes into force will likely not be affected (but we will have to see).

However booking a citizenship interview does not constitute an application, unless you've submitted a form online or through the mail.

Jeremy

Ian12

I guess one cannot apply until the two years are up? I have another 14 months.
Ian

JAJ

Correct. In your case it sounds like you'll have to wait and see how the legislation is finally framed.


Jeremy

woodyinoz

I have 2 weeks to go as we have been out of the country for a month
guess I may look at doing it sooner rather than later. It's not that I am looking at going yet but if one of my parents got really sick it would be nice to have that choice.