chmaiden

Hi
we got our visa awarded in May 07 and moved out here in Sept 07 (after selling house, working notice etc). Obviously the law changed in July 07 re how long to wait before applying for citizenship. So, do we qualify for applying for citizenship in sept this year or do we have to wait another 2 years?
the visa agent basically told us 2 years ago that we could apply in 07, hence we didnt do a flying reccie to get the passport stamped but i am not sure if this is correct.
cheers
Chris

Pollyana

If your visa had been validated before July 07 you would have fallen under the old rules. Howvere because it wasn't validated till September you will come under the new ones.

chmaiden

bugger - so the migration agent basically got it wrong, and then lied to me

JAJ

Even if the agent had told you correctly - or you had understood correctly - the deadline to apply under the 2 year rule closes on 30 June 2010.

So even if you had done a flying visit to validate, you still wouldn't be eligible under the 2 year rule. You would need to have moved by early/mid 2008.

chmaiden

hi - bit confused now - i moved here sept 07 so have been here nearly 2 years.
obviously disappointed that the agent at ASA told me that it went on when the visa was granted

Dorothy

He/she was confused. Migration agents do not necessarily know about citizenship rules, since that's not their job. Read the citizenship calculator at www.citizenship.gov.au