lightr0d2o

please help,
Ive been told I have to do two years in the next five years so I can apply for citizenship.
Q1. Is that accumulative or consecutive
Q2. Is my visa still valid if I dont do the two years or will I loose it.

many thanks

cockney Rob..............

gedge

A1. Accumulates so if you take a month out of the country on holiday it's added to the requirement i.e. 2 years and 1 month.
A2. You don't lose it unless you're not in the country for a significant time i believe.

Best have a read here as the rules are changing and the explanations are probably better than mine.

Centurion

You will have to do three years and not two shortly and thats cumulative in the main part, but you should check the current regulations.

If you got your visa grant in say 2000 and then didnt arrive until 2004 and only had a year left you may stay in Australia when your visa expires, not a problem. However - if you leave Australia without getting a residents return visa or Australian citizenship you will not be allowed to come back in on your expired visa.

Hope that helps.