monologue

Hi guys,

I am in Melbourne got my PR last year on 10th July 2009 and I am eligible to apply for my citizenship on 10th July 2010 when i meet the residential requirement.

However, i am facing a serious delimma that I have to go to the UK on 1st Sep 2010 and gonna stay there for 4months, (i can't change my schedule). So my plan was to apply the citizenship as soon as possible and get the approval letter and, then, travel to the UK while delaying my ceremony by contacting the immigration office for the reason that i am going to the UK.

Once i got my approval letter, then there will be no problem i will travel using my current passport. So, my question: Is it optimistic to get my approval letter (NOT ceremony) within about 7 or 8 weeks after I lodge my citizenship application?

Any comments will be much appreciated

believer

Hi monologue, it depends on case by case. if your name coincides with criminals then it would take some extra time for the department for the verification. They always say it can take up to 3 months generally.
My citizenship application was approved the day after i submitted the application and ceremony was 4 weeks later on.

monologue

The day after????? wow, that is pretty impressive...Did you apply in person using paper application?? or did you apply before the changes in the rules? Amazing,,,the day after...

believer

I applied in person after the changes. But most importantly they will CRIMtrac your name first anyway.

monologue

I need your help!!!
Any more comments would be much appreciated guys.

TonyTr

7 weeks should be enough. Mine - 4weeks !

monologue

Thanks mate!! That would be lovely...hope i can get one within 4 weeks as well.

JAJ

You may get it ... or you may not.

ozhappy981

We are in Perth and as my signature says:
01/02/2010: Posted citizenship application
05/02/2010: Got date for test
24/02/2010: Passed citizenship test 20/20
02/03/2010: Got acceptance letter

You can see that from posting the application form to sitting the test was 3 weeks. And it only took a week from passing the test to getting the acceptance letter. (We have not yet the letter telling us to attend a citizenship ceremony. I expect that to get that in September.)

You need to put on the application form the likely dates you will be out of the country for in the next 12 months and the reason why. (There are boxes to complete for it.)

My advice would be: Download the form. Check that you have all the required documentation (do you need a new UK police check?). Sign it (and get it co-signed - see the form for this) on 10 July 2010 and post it the same day. You *should* get your test date before you leave the country.

When the approval letter comes after that is irrelevant. It's the test date that you have to worry about.

Pollyana

Nice if it is all done quickly. One friend in Brisbane recently waited 4 months after submitting the form, then when the test date finally arrived it was smack bang in the period which she had clearly written on the form was the time she would be OUTSIDE Australia on holiday! She now has to apply for a new test date when she gets back as they can't rebook apparently more than a week ahead!

monologue

I do not need a UK police check cuz this is the first time i am going to the UK,
THanks for you advice

monologue

4months??? from the submission to the test??? that's bloody loooong~~
Oh gosh, i don't know what to do..cuz i am going to the UK to do a phd,
was planning to come back to AU after 4 months during the Christmas holidays to rearrange and attend the ceremony if i could..

ozhappy981

Don't panic just yet. Waiting 4 months for the test date is very unusual. Most people get their test date within a few weeks.

Dorothy

I'm in Perth...

January 2009 phoned DIAC for test appointment.
Did test February 2009. Passed with 100%.
Approval letter received end May 2009.
Date for ceremony given - Australia Day 2010. Unable to attend so next available date offered - July 2010. Said no ****ing way; we would withdraw our application and demand a refund. Private ceremony done 18 March 2010.

Don't rely on getting anything within 4 weeks.

JAJ

Migrants in Canada face an 18 month/2 year long processing time for citizenship, so even if it takes 4 months, that's not all that long.

Second, you had better hope they believe you when you say you intend to continue living in Australia ...