icehockeyplayer

Will U give up your citizenship and become Australian Citizen (after 2 years required)

Where you from?

TheCrone

Native-born Brits are not required to give up their British citizenship when becoming naturalised Australians; they can hold dual citizenship.
The only time it must be renounced is if you stand for election to State or Federal Parliament, when your primary alliegance should be to Australia.

Pollyana

And it will very soon be three years not two......

ANA123

Hi Polly!!!!

when is it going to be 3 years????????
I knew changes were afoot but havnt been around here much to find out what they are?
Michaela

NIGENABBY

Hello

Lots of people keep talking about the increase in years from 2 to 3, however if you do it in reverse it is 3 years to become a British citizen (and that is only if you are married to one) or 5 years if you are not.

To be honest, I am not sure what the big deal is being 3 years for citizenship?

Why the panic?

ANA123

Found the threads....will stop being lazy now, lol
Michaela

Pollyana

Its difficult to describe, some of us would feel more a part of the community if we were actually citizens of the country in which we live. Especially if - as in my case - married to an Australian. When you arrive on a spouse visa you usually have to spend at least two years on a temporary visa before you are PR; this is currently not taken into account when adding up the time that counts for citizenship. Thus, while someone who entered in Nov 2003 on a Skills visa can be eligible for citizenship in Nov 2005, someone else (eg myself) entering at the same time on a spouse visa, will not be eligible until March 2008. If this law change goes through, that will become March 2009............ever wonder why I feel that Australia doesn't really want me? I pay taxes, I work for the government, I obey the laws, and I help to support my Australian family, but they won't let me be a real part of their nation.

banjo

I've got South African so if I have to I'd give that up as I doubt we'd go back there to live.

CPW

It is not just native-born Brits - people who have naturalised (or registered) as British citizens would not be required to give up their British citizenship on naturalising as Australian citizens, either, and neither would people who are British by descent.

And the requirement for members of parliament to be Australian citizens and citizens of no other country is embedded in the constitution (not in those words, but that is the interpretation that the court has decided on): as far as I know, it does not apply to people who wish to be members of any of the state legislatures.

robert cowan

hope we get an australian passport so i can send my uk one back to the hole it came from.

JAJ

There are no UK citizenship consequences for British citizens who become Australian citizens.

However some British Overseas citizens, British subjects, and British protected persons may lose their status (or an entitlement to register as British citizens) if they become Australian citizens.

British overseas territories status may find their "belonger status" in their home territory is affected, depending on the law of that territory.


Jeremy

wmoore

I would hope that they write in some exceptions for people like you, though I'm afraid I wouldn't be holding my breath either.

Like I've just said on another thread, it doesn't mean a great deal to me, only being PR for a couple of months. If I have to wait another year then so be it. I don't especially feel like I don't belong at the moment. But spouse visa holders are a different kettle of fish and must get some special treatment.

bridiej

If you intend to visit the UK and Europe it may be wise to hang on to your UK passport, certainly would make it easier and quicker through EU passport control......... just a thought.