borolad

good day to all.
can any body tell me if the period that you have to stay in ausie after validating, has changed after sept 1st.
visa type skilled independant.
previous it was 2 out of 5 years
many thanks.

Teliko21

I assume you mean to gain citizenship? This changed from July 1st so if you didn't validate your visa before this you now need 4 years residency before you can apply for citizenship.

Wendy

You didn't have to stay for two out of five years. You had to have clocked up 2 years of residency (with a certain amount being in the previous 12 months immediately before you applied) to be able to apply for citizenship.

Now you have to clock up 4 years (again with a certain amount being in the 12 months immediately before you apply). This changed on the 1st July this year - the sept 1st changes are for visa applications only.

The 4 years doesn't have to be in the 5 year validity period of the Residents Return Visa (RRV) attached to your visa evidence sticker but if you wish to leave and re-enter Australia after your RRV has expired then you will need to apply for another one.

To apply for a RRV, you will need to show ties to Australia.

These changes only apply to those who haven't validated their visa yet. For those that have validated or were here before the changes, the old rules still apply and they have until June 30th (I think) 2010 to apply under the old rules.

Full details on all question can be found on www.citizenship.gov.au

JAJ

No change to the Resident Return Visa rules.

borolad

thanks all.