CleverHans

Hi there,

Quick question regarding the residency requirement of citizenship (4 years) -- does anyone know if any overseas holiday travel counts against it? e.g. if I spent a week in Hong Kong, would I need to wait another week before applying for citizenship?

I heard from someone that it only counts against your time in Australia if you live for more than 90 days in a year outside of the country. Is this correct?

Cheers!

Bermudashorts

It won't mean an extra week before you can apply for citizenship unless you have already used up the allowable days out of the country.

madankumars

You are allowed a total of 1 year out of the 4 to be out of the country.

So if you haven't been out of the country for a total of 365 days, then this 1 week in hong kong is within the 365 day limit.

If the total no. of days you have been out of this country exceeds 365 days then yes - your eligibility date gets pushed by the no. of days you were out of the country.

remember there is also another criteria - you can't be out of the country for more than 90 days (in total) within the last 12 months.

CleverHans

Thanks guys! I also called the Citizenship department on 131 880 and they confirmed my eligibly after I gave them my full name and DOB. Submission is in and we're looking forward to the interview!

They mentioned it will be a 12 week wait so we'll see how we go.