louH

Just had a moment of doubt - I need to spend 2 weeks in the US around 3 weeks after the date I submit my citizenship application.

I really need to get the citizenship application in ASAP (work reasons) but what happens if citizenship is granted but I don't have time to get an Aussie passport before I leave for the US - will my PR sticker still be valid? Worse still what happens if citizenship is granted while I am away???

Am I only eligible for a passport once I have gone through the citizenship ceremony?

All very confusing! Any help much appreciated

JAJ

You don't become a citizen until you attend a ceremony (for most applications for grant of citizenship).

spottydog

I wasn't sure whether citizenship could be granted whilst you are outside the country so I emailed DIAC with my citizenship application reference number and advised we would be outside the country between X and Y dates on holiday.

As it turns out our application was accepted the day before we left so I can't actually answer your question but even after your application is accepted you will still need to travel on your current passport and PR visa as you are not an Aussie citizen (and therefore able to apply for an Aussie passport) until you have attended your ceremony, which for us was nearly 6 months after the application was approved.