Bermudashorts

Being granted a visa changes ones status in Australia, having an application approved for the next stage in citizenship process does not change status, you are still a permanent resident and not a citizen.

The citizenship website also comments that if you travel before the ceremony you are still travelling as a permanent resident. Thee is nothing to suggest that this is ill advised or frowned upon or anything else.

People travel post application all the time and there is absolutely no need for Bikergirl to worry about this or change any plans. All they need to do is ensure they still have a PR visa with an unexpired date for travel.

slackbloke

I don't think I said anything like forbid travel but there is a clear requirement to be in the country at the time the decision is made, it's not codswallop. It's much like the requirement to travel in and out of Australia using an Australian passport; it's a 'requirement' but not necessarily enforceable. Better for the OP to be informed of this than not. The 'requirement' to be here is clearly documented; I'm not making it up; how or if it is implemented is a separate issue.

spouse of scouse

Good horsey

Pollyana

Did you read my post above? - it's taken from the DIBP current website and clearly says there is no restriction on travelling, provided you have the necessary visa with which to re-enter the country.

Bermudashorts

You are suggesting that OP or her other half needs to change plans and cannot leave the country. Australia cannot possibly stop a permanent resident from travelling overseas unless they are detained in prison. People travel after they lodge an application all the time and I have never ever heard of this being an issue.

Pollyana

And if they weren't allowed to do it I suspect it would say that very clearly on the citizenship website........

rammygirl

Yes but that is after approval, no issue with that.

It is whilst awaiting approval that the issue lies.

slackbloke

What I am saying is that if you follow the requirements, yes you would change you plans and you would do it to try and ensure the process goes through as smoothly as possible. As with the Aus passport issue, the onus is on you to do as the government are requesting, rather than something the government can or do enforce. What I am saying is no different to saying you have to enter Aus on Aus passport if a citizen; it is requested but not legally enforceable afaik. Much better for the OP to know this and be prepared for questions etc rather than be ignorant of it.

Bermudashorts

What issue? How can Australia stop its permanent residents from travelling overseas? Have you ever heard of an issue because I certianly have not.

I am not sure if you have ever been through the process, but you do a test and a week or so later get a letter saying your application is approved. You will not even know when somebody decides to write that letter, but it does not change your visa or residency or citizenship status. There was not even a hint of a suggestion that I could not travel after I took my test.

The visa and citizenship process is stressful enough without causing unnecessary worry for people.

rammygirl

From the horses mouth. This is what slackbloke is referring to. A different issue than after approval and before the ceremony.

Step 9. Receive notification of the department's decision

A decision on your application for citizenship can only be made after you have lodged a completed application together with the required original documents and fee.
The Client Service Charter provides details on the service standard for processing an application for Australian citizenship. If you do not receive notification within the time given in the charter you should contact the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880.
You must tell the department if you change your address, and you must be in the country at the time a decision is made. You may need to defer your travel plans or, if your travel is urgent contact the department for advice.
See more information about citizenship and travel.

slackbloke

Yes I have read it and it refers to travel AFTER approval and before the ceremony; I am referring to the period between the test and approval

spouse of scouse

I think the Australian government have a bit more of a say in the passport issue than just being able to 'request' that their citizens leave and re-enter Australia on their Australian passport

https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Citi/...through-travel

Once you have become an Australian citizen any visa you held ceases.

As an Australian citizen you must always leave and enter Australia on an Australian passport. If you also have a passport from another country you can use that for travel once you have left Australia.

People trying to enter Australia as an Australian citizen but without an Australian passport face difficulties and delays. The Australian Passport Office provides more information.

If you also have a passport from another country you should always use your Australian passport when leaving and entering Australia.

Neigh

Bikergirl

Ok, I am starting to get very confused now.

My timeline is:

• August 2011 - arrived on 457 visa
• November 2013 - PR visa granted
• ~5 January 2016 - citizenship applications submitted
• 19 January 2016 - test dates received (16 and 17 February respectively (yes even though both applications were submitted at the same time, we got different test dates))
• February 2016 - Citizenship tests passed ()
• ~ October 2016 - Citizenship Ceremony held (Warringah Council website is currently stating 6-8 months wait time between test and ceremony)

My husband has no choice but to travel on business, sometimes at very short notice (less than 24hrs going to New Zealand sometimes), and already knows that he has to go overseas as previously stated. Between our test date and ceremony are we going to have to notify Immi every time he goes overseas, even for an overnight trip to New Zealand?

When do we get notification that we have passed the test? On the day of the test or through the post afterwards?

slackbloke

The issue I am referring to is between the test and approval. Approval is when you get formal confirmation of the paperwork being processed; you are still not a citizen which happens at the ceremony some time later. Although you find out about the test immediately there is also a so called interview and subsequently police checks. So you don't find out about approval until say a week later but it could be weeks or even months if there are issues. At the interview you will be asked about travel plans; I guess at that point everything will be sorted out. To avoid the confusion I seem to have caused, I will change my previous wording from can't travel to you are requested not to travel while waiting for approval. I hope that helps

slackbloke

I don't believe this is law so it is still a request, I would be interested if someone can confirm if there is a law that covers this. I am aware of at least one (complex) scenario where citizens can enter and leave Australia without an Australian passport completely legitimately.