ShozInOz

I know this has probably been discussed - that soon PRs will need 3 years in Australia to apply for citizenship, but my question is:

how long do you think it will take for the new laws to come into effect?

We are a 2.5 months away from being here 2 years as PR and not sure if wee'll nmake it before it changes to 3 years.

Any politically savvy types have any ideas?

Cheers

Steve

ljj

I'm afraid I don't know the answer but to be safe, do you know you can book an appointment for your interview in advance?

Download the docs off the internet and start getting everything else together that you need ie birth/marriage certificates, passports.

We had booked our interview the day before it was announced. I think we booked it about 3-4 weeks in advance. Just had our letter on Friday to say that we have been accepted as citizens we just need the ceromony to make it final but we are in.

Louise

ShozInOz

That's a good idea Louise, though I reckon if the legislation is passed before we actually have the interview, which would be early Jan I guess (2 year mark) then we would have to wait still another year. I'll check it out though.

Brisben

JAJ has the information,

Pomster

we have 5 weeks to go, so hoping it doesn't change too soon ( we have been here 5.5 years- mainly as sponsored, so I feel we should get extra credit for that)

KatieStar

From what I can gather it will probably come into effect January 2006.

Katie

JAJ

Booking an interview won't make any difference.

- you need to *lodge* the application (this can be done before an interview is available, as you can apply by lodging it at a DIMIA office, or online) before the law change takes effect
- if you are a waiting for a document such as a birth certificate or overseas police check, and the law change is imminent, you can apply anyway and sort out the outstanding document afterwards. Things will just take longer to process.



Jeremy

brisnick

but you can't lodge your application until you fulfill the requirements (i believe, and am happy to stand corrected), which is why i arranged my interview for the very day i made the requirements, and lodged the application there and then. got the approval letter 3 days later.

JAJ

You can't lodge until you meet the *residence* requirements. That's quite correct.

However, if you meet the residence requirements but you're waiting for an overseas police check, or a birth certificate from overseas, or something like that, you can lodge and sort out the outstanding document later on.

Similarly, if DIMIA can't give you an interview appointment for weeks, you can still lodge the application first.

This will become an important issue when the law is passed and the new law takes effect - those who delay applying for *any* reason will have to wait the extra year.



Jeremy

CornishPasty

Hey JAJ,

Can you confirm this comes into effect from the 1st Jan or is there no date set yet? Whats your guestimate?

my 2yrs is in July next year, bummer.

I was actually thinking about this on Sunday in a big customs queue when I got back from a wedding in the UK. The benefits and woes of getting citizenship over PR. Other than the obvious one of making a commitment to Oz as our home, the only change I could see was a passport for life instead of keeping an eye on your visa, no big queues at customs, having to vote (pos or neg?!?!), and working in certain government/defence jobs.

Anyone know of anything else?

NedKelly

Yes, no UK Inheritance Tax

Pollyana

There is no date yet for it to come into effect as it is not yet law. I would guess it'll be in before next July though.

I don't care any more, they don't want me till 2009, then I don't want their passport. I'll just carry on using my ice UK one.

Slater

wot u mean by no UK inheritance tax. I only just learned from mr UK taxman that I don't have to pay CG on my property there, lucky my bloody wanker accountant was on holiday or I wouldn't have phoned Inland revenue and found out, sometimes I wonder! they call themselves professionals. Dickhead has cost me thousands, I would have sold up 2 years ago.

Slater

NedKelly

Well make sure you don't go back to live for 5 years or they WILL charge you CGT!!!

Slater

Yeah, he told me that to, No Worries on that one!

Slater