TerriEllen

I didn't say how long I have been here, only that the records have been held electronically for 30 years

roaringmouse

In June last year you mentioned that you had been in Australia for 38 years.

TerriEllen

LOL Must be 39 this year then Call me a proud Brit; call me lazy; .. just happy living here but not being one I guess If my visa has expired and I want to hop on a plane, I just toddle off to DIAC and they put a pretty new sticker in my Brit passport. Easy

paddyo

I understand the sentiment, but gaining citizenship costs the same as one RRV doesn't it? It won't hurt to have it and dual nationality can be handy. I know that as soon as my PR comes through I am goign for Citizenship ASAP. But I have other friends who happily do RRV, individual choice and all that!
Pollyanna is right about Australia being ID anal, even though we have no stickers in our Passorts I still carry our Visa Documentation when travelling through force of habit, never had to use it yet though.

TerriEllen

Australia is anal about everything. One of my Australian born sons went with his wife to live in UK for 5 years and when he came back he was stunned about the rules and regulations and said it was like a police state here. I guess we get used to it and accept it but when you view it with fresh eyes .... I use the analogy of countries aging and maturing in the same way as humans ...... Britain is old and mature and comfortable in it's own skin. America is like a teenager, bold and loud and 'look at me'. Australia is like a toddler/preschooler; really wants to be independent but is scared to let go of its parents hand and needs lots of rules and regulations to feel it is in control. Just saying and totally off-topic, I know
I guess having been here so long getting married here and having had all but 1 of my children here it just doesn't seem necessary now. I did think about it for a while but in the words of Rolf Harris, but reversed, I have lived here for nearly 40 years but I'm still proud to be British and England will always be home. If it's good enough for him it's good enough for me.

roaringmouse

Citizenship costs less than RRV now, and hopefully the difference between them will increase.

TerriEllen

For me, due to my personal circumstances, citizenship would actually only cost $40. However, one thing I do balk at, and puts me off, is the test. I appreciate that it is a necessary pre-requisite under certain circumstances, but surely there a limit to what those circumstances are. Also, if I am going to pay for 2 passports in 10 years, I might as well pay for an RRV. I would never go and live back in the UK but while I go for the Brits in the Cricket and the Olympics it wouldn't be right changing my nationality AFL is my favourite sport though and while we are on the subject, better go and put the TV on .. Western derby this afternoon.

roaringmouse

You wouldn't have needed to do a test for most of the time you've probably been eligible. You also don't change your nationality, you gain a new one in addition to your British nationality. It's also possible to just hold an Australian passport and use that to travel to the UK as you have no intention on living there - also cheaper compared to applying for a UK passport in Australia.

TerriEllen

Yeah, I know and I've been eligible since I walked through Sydney customs when I arrived in 1973 and they stamped Permitted to enter Australia in my Passport .... no visa's needed in those days ... but I like it this way. Rearing 5 children mostly single-handed didn't leave me much time for thinking about things like what nationality I was. Now I'm happy the way it is. If they ever give me an ultimatum, like, change or leave, I'll opt for changing because all my children and grandchildren are here, but for now it's a question of: it's not broke so I don't have to fix it.

paddyo

I don't trust Australian government, they can change their mind and pass new rules/amendments in a heartbeat...just look at the LAFHA debacle!! So while all is good now....it only takes one idiot in politics, of which there are many, to stuff it all up.

TerriEllen

I do agree paddyo. Not long to go before I can get citizenship without doing the test ... I might consider it then I don't have anything against test per se, just this one on particular

Wilgar

That is an excellent analogy.

TerriEllen

Thank you

steve_kelly_and_boys

just out of interest what are the price differences with renewing here or the U.K

mine and youngest sons have both ran out so will need to renew sooner or later

not in any great rush as i am not leaving these shores anytime soon

cheers

Pollyana

Fees in Australia - http://ukinnewzealand.fco.gov.uk/en/...pply/australia

UK details are here - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...orts/index.htm