Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

Hi there,

We arrived in March and are thinking about using our return flights before the year runs out. We will only go back for 3 weeks to visit elderly relatives, friends and family but what we don't want to do is ruin our application for citizenship. I have read the documents but what I don't understand is if you can leave for a holiday. We arrived before the cut off in July (2 years to 4 year change). I am assuming it would be better for us to go in March and then we could clock up a year before we applied for Citizenship.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards

PoppetUK

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

You can leave but your 3 weeks out of the country is deducted from your 2 year requirement I believe. It is like a stopwatch and each time you leave Australia the stopwatch stops until you come back in. This is my understanding of it any road.

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

Exactly right.

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

that's just what we did
had to add the three weeks on to the required 2 years before eligible to apply
in the big scheme of things it shouldn't make a huge difference to you

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

I read somewhere that you needed to stay in Oz for the whole year before applying but I can't seem to find that now. That's my worry if we left the trip until 2009.

Thanks for the replies

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

Within the 2 years in 5, you need 12 months in the 2 years before applying.

A large number of people think it means they can't leave Australia for a vacation - not clear why (it's one of the "urban myths" of migration).

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

OK Thanks. It would make sense to be allowed out on holiday etc!!! Unless they are desperate to keep us here!!

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

Correct for the 2 year rule. Under the new 4 year rule that's not the case provided absences do not exceed specific thresholds.

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

What date did the deadline from 2 to 4 years come into effect?

When did we have to be here by?

Carmel

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

I'm glad you asked that! I was just wondering the same!!!
Hope we get a reply!

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

I believe it was 1st July. However if any of you came on a temp visa then up to 3 years of temp residence can be counted towards the 4 year requirement.

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

I thought thru a sponsored visa for 4 years after that you could apply for permanent residency?
We're on 4 year sponsored visa and arrived on 26th July, If you get visa for 4years but only 3 of those years count, how do you get that last 4th year to get permanent residency? Citizenship? :confused:

Carmel

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

Depends what sponsored visa you have. The 121/856 is a PR visa. On a temporary visa (457) PR is not guaranteed after any period of time. In my case we have been here for 2 years on a 457, by the time our PR is granted (if) then we will have been here for 2.5 years. Under the new ruling we will be eligible to apply for citizenship after 1.5 years. You must have have at least 12 months residence as a PR in the 4 year period to be eligible to apply for citizenship.

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

Nothernbird thanks for that, had to re-read it, didn't make sense first time round :eek: now the penny has dropped!:thumbsup:
Carmel

Re: Citizenship - going back to UK for a few weeks
 

Yeah wasn't the best post I have written, what visa are you on and when did you arrive.