Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Oct 16th 2006, 2:07 pm
#61
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Joined: Sep 2006
Location: 'stralia
Posts: 2,383
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Can anyone tell me why it is so important to have Australian ciizenship?
Our visas have been approved but we are not planning to go until April 07.
I can't see any huge reason to bring everything forward, which would be expensive and inconvenient, when we will have PR anyway.
So far I have found out that once a citizen I will have to vote. Voting does not bother me much, so this is in fact not an incentive for me to become a citizen!
So what reasons ARE there why I should want to get citizenship sooner than 4 years?
Our visas have been approved but we are not planning to go until April 07.
I can't see any huge reason to bring everything forward, which would be expensive and inconvenient, when we will have PR anyway.
So far I have found out that once a citizen I will have to vote. Voting does not bother me much, so this is in fact not an incentive for me to become a citizen!
So what reasons ARE there why I should want to get citizenship sooner than 4 years?
Oct 16th 2006, 2:43 pm
#62
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,814
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by esperanza
Can anyone tell me why it is so important to have Australian ciizenship?
Our visas have been approved but we are not planning to go until April 07.
I can't see any huge reason to bring everything forward, which would be expensive and inconvenient, when we will have PR anyway.
So far I have found out that once a citizen I will have to vote. Voting does not bother me much, so this is in fact not an incentive for me to become a citizen!
So what reasons ARE there why I should want to get citizenship sooner than 4 years?
Our visas have been approved but we are not planning to go until April 07.
I can't see any huge reason to bring everything forward, which would be expensive and inconvenient, when we will have PR anyway.
So far I have found out that once a citizen I will have to vote. Voting does not bother me much, so this is in fact not an incentive for me to become a citizen!
So what reasons ARE there why I should want to get citizenship sooner than 4 years?
Some of us genuinely feel that being citizens would help us to feel we belong to the country, and would help it to feel more like "home".
Oct 16th 2006, 4:43 pm
#63
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: London, U.K.
Posts: 20
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by Pollyana
Some people would like to work in jobs that require citizenship - defence, federal police, Federal Govt, for example.
Some of us genuinely feel that being citizens would help us to feel we belong to the country, and would help it to feel more like "home".
Some of us genuinely feel that being citizens would help us to feel we belong to the country, and would help it to feel more like "home".
Oct 16th 2006, 4:56 pm
#64
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: London, U.K.
Posts: 20
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by karmagirls
Hi,
I received this email this morning. Think it clarifies the entire thing. I'm actually going in January now anyway so I only need to wait the 2 years, on the assumption this will go through.
"Dear Ms Whitelaw
Thank you for your email of 19 September 2006 to the Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the
Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, concerning the new residence requirements for
Australian citizenship. Your email has been referred to the Department of
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (the department) for response.
The new residence requirements for Australian citizenship, which were
announced on
17 September 2006, will require changes to the legislation and are not
expected to come into effect until 26 January 2007 at the earliest.
If you make your initial entry to Australia before the date of commencement
of the new legislation, you will only need to meet the current requirement
of a minimum period of two years as a permanent resident in Australia in
the five years before application for citizenship, including at least 12
months in the two years before the application. This is provided that an
application for citizenship is made within three years of the changes
coming into effect.
If you make your initial entry after the commencement of the new
legislation, the new residence requirements will apply.
Further details on the new residence requirements can be found on the
department’s citizenship website,
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/news/index.htm. The website will be updated
as developments occur.
I trust the information provided is useful.
Yours sincerely
xxxxxx
Assistant Secretary
Citizenship and Language Services"
Glad that I found out for definite, it's actually made things more exciting for me as now I only have a few months to get ready!
Tracy
I received this email this morning. Think it clarifies the entire thing. I'm actually going in January now anyway so I only need to wait the 2 years, on the assumption this will go through.
"Dear Ms Whitelaw
Thank you for your email of 19 September 2006 to the Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the
Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, concerning the new residence requirements for
Australian citizenship. Your email has been referred to the Department of
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (the department) for response.
The new residence requirements for Australian citizenship, which were
announced on
17 September 2006, will require changes to the legislation and are not
expected to come into effect until 26 January 2007 at the earliest.
If you make your initial entry to Australia before the date of commencement
of the new legislation, you will only need to meet the current requirement
of a minimum period of two years as a permanent resident in Australia in
the five years before application for citizenship, including at least 12
months in the two years before the application. This is provided that an
application for citizenship is made within three years of the changes
coming into effect.
If you make your initial entry after the commencement of the new
legislation, the new residence requirements will apply.
Further details on the new residence requirements can be found on the
department’s citizenship website,
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/news/index.htm. The website will be updated
as developments occur.
I trust the information provided is useful.
Yours sincerely
xxxxxx
Assistant Secretary
Citizenship and Language Services"
Glad that I found out for definite, it's actually made things more exciting for me as now I only have a few months to get ready!
Tracy
Oct 16th 2006, 5:32 pm
#65
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: 'stralia
Posts: 2,383
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
I know there are some jobs that require you to be a citizen. Sometimes being accepted for the job means they give you citizenship (eg defense) rather than citizenship being a prerequisite for applying.
I do see the idea of feeling more at home if you're a citizen, that has occured to me - but I will be there 2 years as PR anyway, at the moment I can't see that another 2 years on top will make a huge difference to me. It's a bit like my feelings on marriage - I am adamant that a piece of paper will not make any real difference to anything emotionally. (tho I know it does legally & financially)
(Another question - if a PR marries a citizen, does the PR automatically qualify for citizenship or still have to wait same as if single? Coz that could speed things up!)
I do see the idea of feeling more at home if you're a citizen, that has occured to me - but I will be there 2 years as PR anyway, at the moment I can't see that another 2 years on top will make a huge difference to me. It's a bit like my feelings on marriage - I am adamant that a piece of paper will not make any real difference to anything emotionally. (tho I know it does legally & financially)
(Another question - if a PR marries a citizen, does the PR automatically qualify for citizenship or still have to wait same as if single? Coz that could speed things up!)
Oct 16th 2006, 9:39 pm
#66
Cheesy Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,033
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by esperanza
(Another question - if a PR marries a citizen, does the PR automatically qualify for citizenship or still have to wait same as if single? Coz that could speed things up!)
If you marry an Aussie you can apply to become a PR, but there is no shortcut - in fact for many of us it takes longer to gain PR and citizenship down that route.
Cheers,
DagBoy
Oct 16th 2006, 11:08 pm
#67
Retired
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by DagBoy
If you marry an Aussie you can apply to become a PR, but there is no shortcut - in fact for many of us it takes longer to gain PR and citizenship down that route.
Oct 16th 2006, 11:27 pm
#68
Retired
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by booyip
Will time on a Working Holiday Visa (417) count towards the new citizenship requirements?
Yes it will PROVIDED you don't become unlawful in Australia (not even for a day).
I have been in Australia since March 2004 (on a WHV), then converted to a 457 in Jan 2005 which I'm still on. I think this new rule will work in my favour (if the WHV counts!), so should I delay my PR application? Was looking to apply in the next month or so...
Date you apply for PR is irrelevant. If you become a PR before Commencement Day (scheduled for 26.01.07 but could change) then you wait 2 years from grant of PR.
Oct 16th 2006, 11:37 pm
#69
Retired
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by rootsie
I agree Pollyana. I have just validated my PR visa but unfortunately cannot move over permanently until November next year. I am hoping that the new rules will not extend my wait for citizenship,
(a) a person is a permanent resident (worked out under the old Act) immediately before the commencement day; and
(b) the person makes an application under subsection 21(1) of the new Act within the period of 3 years beginning on the commencement day;
The definition of "permanent resident" for citizenship purposes is very complex and is not the same as what's used for migration purposes. It seems to me that any holder of a valid permanent visa at Commencement Day would be covered but we will need to see something definitive from DIMA to be sure.
Oct 17th 2006, 6:30 am
#70
Cheesy Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,033
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by JAJ
Under the new rules it won't make much difference as time on a temporary visa will count (up to 3 years) towards the 4 year requirement.
Cheers,
DagBoy
Oct 17th 2006, 12:38 pm
#71
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: London, U.K.
Posts: 20
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by JAJ
The new rules as proposed are that if both criteria below are met, the 2 year residence period should apply:
(a) a person is a permanent resident (worked out under the old Act) immediately before the commencement day; and
(b) the person makes an application under subsection 21(1) of the new Act within the period of 3 years beginning on the commencement day;
The definition of "permanent resident" for citizenship purposes is very complex and is not the same as what's used for migration purposes. It seems to me that any holder of a valid permanent visa at Commencement Day would be covered but we will need to see something definitive from DIMA to be sure.
(a) a person is a permanent resident (worked out under the old Act) immediately before the commencement day; and
(b) the person makes an application under subsection 21(1) of the new Act within the period of 3 years beginning on the commencement day;
The definition of "permanent resident" for citizenship purposes is very complex and is not the same as what's used for migration purposes. It seems to me that any holder of a valid permanent visa at Commencement Day would be covered but we will need to see something definitive from DIMA to be sure.
Oct 19th 2006, 10:41 am
#72
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 312
Technically
Presumably once a Brit becomes an Aussie citizen (s)he ceases to be a Brit and therefore no longer an Expat!
Oct 19th 2006, 11:35 am
#73
Oiiii.. You slaggg!
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Brisbaneshire
Posts: 5,209
Re: Technically
Originally Posted by wheatsheaf42
Presumably once a Brit becomes an Aussie citizen (s)he ceases to be a Brit and therefore no longer an Expat!
Oct 19th 2006, 12:00 pm
#74
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: London, U.K.
Posts: 20
Re: Technically
Originally Posted by DunRoaminTheUK
Nope. Dual citizenship is permitted but I think that you have to inform the British consulate before you do it?
Last edited by rootsie; Oct 19th 2006 at 12:04 pm.
Oct 22nd 2006, 8:01 am
#75
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Dizzy Brissy
Posts: 90
Re: Update - New Citizenship Residence Requirement
Originally Posted by esperanza
Can anyone tell me why it is so important to have Australian ciizenship?
Our visas have been approved but we are not planning to go until April 07.
I can't see any huge reason to bring everything forward, which would be expensive and inconvenient, when we will have PR anyway.
So far I have found out that once a citizen I will have to vote. Voting does not bother me much, so this is in fact not an incentive for me to become a citizen!
So what reasons ARE there why I should want to get citizenship sooner than 4 years?
Our visas have been approved but we are not planning to go until April 07.
I can't see any huge reason to bring everything forward, which would be expensive and inconvenient, when we will have PR anyway.
So far I have found out that once a citizen I will have to vote. Voting does not bother me much, so this is in fact not an incentive for me to become a citizen!
So what reasons ARE there why I should want to get citizenship sooner than 4 years?
I would like to be able to vote so that I can have some say in how my tax dollars are spent, on issues that will affect my kids as they grow etc etc etc. Social responsibility innit. Should be compulsory everywhere.