Shaun&Dee

I'm sure the asnwer mst have been posted before but I can't find it at the moment using search so here goes...

My Skilled 136 visa was granted on November 2005 (from memory). I went to Australia for 2 weeks and validated my visa in October 2006 so was within my 1 year validation period. I made the move permatenly in March 2008 which is within my 5 year period to make the move.

My question is regarding citizenship, and when I became a PR, which affects whether I need to be a PR for 2 years or 4 years due to the new rules. Did I become a PR when I validated my visa on October 2006 or when I made the move permanetly in March 2008. I'm hoping that its October 2006 as I then only need to do 2 years as a PR to get citizenship.

Thanks
Shaun

bcworld

Yes so the 2 year rule applies....however you will not be able to apply for citizenship until approx Mar 2010 as your time outside Australia doesn't count towards your 2 years residence.

Shaun&Dee

Great, thats what I thought, March 2010.
Thanks
Shaun

bcworld

Just one other thing....if you are going to go for the 2 year rule, I think you must apply before 30 June 2010. So if you have any overseas travel planned you'll need to keep an eye on the effect that has on your eligibility date.

You can use the calculator on the citizenship website to keep track of the date.

You'll almost certainly be required to provide a new UK police check as well.

JAJ

It would also be worth doing the citizenship test long before then because there will likely be a long waiting list in 2010.