alvin_dmello

Hi friends,

I have a somewhat different situation here.

I am about to go to Oz to settle down, but probably will be getting a work offer from my Oz company to work in UAE. That would be in a few weeks after i arrive.
I am worried about my resident status and the wait time for citizenship. Will it count when I am in the UAE, or will I be considered not resident ?

Anyone been in a similar situation.

Alvin

Dorothy

Your time in UAE will not count toward citizenship. Only time spent in Australia counts as residency. Also, be careful about how long you are away so your PR doesn't lapse.

Amazulu

I also looked into this as I was offered an offshore job with an Australian company. My agent told me that it is possible to get time spent working overseas included in your residency requirement if it is of 'benefit to Australia'. Working for an Aussie company overseas can be included in this but I reckon you would need to get some advice.

JAJ

All those rules changed in July 2007. Now the bottom line is that if you spend more than 25% of the time outside Australia, it simply does not count for citizenship.

alvin_dmello

Hi JAJ,

Leaving things as they, one straight question,

I will work in the UAE for 3 years. Then I come back and settle in Oz.

My visa is a Australian Sponsered - Skilled 138 Visa.

Is it ok to do that ?

Thanks

Alvin

JAJ

For keeping your residence alive? Read form 968i:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/968i.pdf

For citizenship? You'll need to start the 4 year waiting time when you return to settle in Australia (assuming you have not lost your permanent residence).