tictac

How long, potentially, could it take from being eligible for citizenship to actually gaining citizenship?

Is it true that the citizenship ceremony can be up to one year from the date of passing the citizenship 'test', and that you are not granted citizenship until you have attended the ceremony?

Can you turn up (to wherever) on the day you are eligible for citizenship and sit the test or is there a waiting period?

Would you be free to leave Aus and then fly back to attend the ceremony, maybe up to a year later, and subsequently gain citizenship, assuming you had passed the 'test'?

There seems to be a bit of confusion from the people I've spoken to as to how it all works in reality and could affect people's decisions on how long they plan to stay here for.

Thanks

JAJ

For most people, between 3-9 months. But some cases do take longer.

One year from when your application is approved. If you don't attend a ceremony within 12 months without good reason, they can cancel your approval.

Normally DIAC want people to attend a ceremony more quickly than that.

Correct. And your approval can be cancelled if you no longer meet the requirements.


You can sit the test anytime, but you must book an appointment (there may be a waiting list).


Not usually.

Firstly, your application cannot normally be approved while you are offshore.

Secondly, you are required to intend to live in Australia or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia. So unless you have an Australian spouse or some equivalent ties, spending that kind of time offshore before ceremony is asking for your approval to be cancelled.

tictac

Thanks for the info

Much appreciated.

flip

We've just set the process in motion - very exciting!

On Friday I called the Department and have arranged the test for the first available date - 24th June. Only the adults need to take the test.

They've suggested we take the completed forms in with us so if we pass the application process can start straight away.

Following that they estimate 3 - 4 months till approval is given and then it's just making arrangments for the ceremony - a few weeks from what I can gather.

Hope this helps.

Centurion

We wary that although the process at DIAC is relatively painless its actually getting to go to a ceremony which can take time.

Ours took 4 months before we kicked about about our council being crap and got to go to city hall instead. Thats 4 months from the date the application notification of approval arrived.

JAJ

Nothing stopping you discussing the quality of council procedures with your local councillor in advance.

spottydog

We took the test about a month before we were eligible to apply. We then applied online on the date we were eligible and our application was accepted about 3 week later. We then had about 6 months wait for the next ceremony in our council area and received the invite about 3 weeks before the ceremony.

HTH

bridie

Dont understand why you have to wait for a planned ceremony...... ask the shire if you can have a private one
friend of ours did this, in a local park, had a barbie then the ceremony, very nice atmos
had we not wanted to get ours on Australia Day we'd have gone this route as well

Centurion

Because most council's will not do this. There are very strict regulations concerning a citizenship ceremony.

Our local council would certainly not entertain the idea of a private ceremony despite being asked so we had to attend Brisbane City Council's ceremony instead after DIAC intervened.

The point is more that under the DIAC guidelines to councils they must hold a ceremony every 2 to 3 months regardless of the number of people wishing to attend. Sadly this does not seem to actually happen.

JAJ

Some councils are excellent, others are useless.

It is a shame that more people do not raise this issue with their local councillors.

Pollyana

You're in Melbourne, aren't you? Anyone done the test on Brisbane recently? Just wondering how far ahead you need to book....

JAJ

I would suggest you book the first available appointment.

Pollyana

Not that easy with a boss that insists on at least three weeks notice for a day off!
I'll have to bite the bullet and ring them soon I know - I'm putting it off cos I don't want to admit that I actually have to do this!

DunRoaminTheUK

We had to wait just over 1 month from the time of booking to actually sitting the test. It's a pretty busy place at the moment.