Bikergirl

Good Afternoon All

Having reached the magically 4 years last year, we submitted our citizenship application over Christmas. Just received the test dates for next month, and looking at our council's website there is an approximate wait time of 6-8 months for the ceremony.
My main concern is my husband regularly travels overseas for work and it is guaranteed that he will be travelling between sitting the test and our ceremony. He is ok to travel in between test and ceremony isn't he?

Obviously as soon as we have the certificate in hand he will be applying for his passport but its just that interim period I am now concerned with so any experience or knowledge would be great.

Pollyana

Yes he is fine to travel. Until the ceremony his visa is still in place. Its only after the ceremony that the visa is cancelled and he will need an Aussie passport.

Bikergirl

Thanks Pollyana, appreciate the response. Thought this was the case but then had a serious moment and my google skills didnt want to work.

Pollyana

No probs Its not always easy to find a straight and up to date answer on google is it!

rammygirl

Although if the travel portion of your visa has expired then he will need an RRV if he leaves Australia.......

Bikergirl

That's not a worry, we only got our pr visa in 2013 (457 prior).
Thanks for the consideration though.

slackbloke

I don't think that is completely correct. You are meant to in Australia at the time the decision is made and that's documented in the application process. My understanding of that is that are meant to remain in Australia between taking the test and having your application approved/rejected.

Bermudashorts

No not at all. it would be most unwise to pack up and move back to the home country before the ceremony ... but there are definitely no restrictions on temporary travel.

slackbloke

Well it's clearly documented you need to be in the country when a decision is made; how is that not a travel restriction?

Bikergirl

Ive been about citizenship ceremony and travel not visa grant here. We have to be in country to take the test, we will be in country for our ceremony but my husband has to travel overseas for short business trips - example he has a three week training course in America in July or two day conference in New Zealand next month (after test date).

I just needed confirmation that he doesn't need anything special for the time between test and ceremony - which polyana has provided.

slackbloke

And I've just explained that information was not correct. Your husband cannot leave the country after the test until a decision is made, nothing to do with visas. So depending when the test is and the decision is made, he won't be able to travel to US or NZ.

rammygirl

He will need to keep the Citizenship people informed as he does need to be in Australia for the decision. It is clear that travel between the test and decision is not advised but if it cannot be avoided you will need to contact immigration. I guess like visa applications they will simply wait until you are in the right place to grant. A bit different from a holiday if it is essential business travel.

Once a decision is made you are free to travel until the ceremony provided you have a valid visa.

After the ceremony you need an Australian passport to travel.

Bermudashorts

This is complete and utter codswallop.

There are no restrictions on travel. Australia does not hold would be citizens as prisoners! You will not know when the decision is made and even whe the application is approved, it doesn't hcange anything, you don't become a citizen at that point. Approval will be at any time post test and the country cannot possibly forbid travel for free individuals.

rammygirl

It does say clearly that you may need to delay travel until a decision is made but to contact immigration if you must leave the country before a decision is made.

Simply the case that it is one of those apply onshore grant onshore issues. This used to apply to all visas but many are now able to be granted and applied for anywhere.

Like people having to leave Australia for grant of an offshore visa, they MUST be in Australia for the grant. As long as you tell them I'm sure it will be OK

Pollyana

From the horse's mouth (aka Attending your citizenship ceremony )

If you need to Travel before your ceremony......

You cannot get an Australian passport until you have made the pledge and officially become an Australian citizen.

If you need to travel outside Australia after you have been approved for citizenship but before your ceremony, you must travel on your current passport. This will not affect your ability to attend your ceremony or become an Australian citizen.
Before you depart you must ensure you have a visa that allows you to re-enter Australia for your ceremony. If the travel validity period on your permanent visa has expired, or is about to expire, you will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa.
If you do plan to travel outside Australia before your ceremony, please let us know. Contact the Citizenship Information Line.
Telephone: 131 880 between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.