With June 30 nearing i applied for citizenship as later it requires 4 years. But now I want to withdraw application because: my original country does not allow two citizenships.My parents are old and cannot come here as getting visa for them is difficult/costly & host of other reasons.

I come from a country where they may refuse me even an visit visa later as there is a radical government there and hence retaining my current citizenship is important so that I can atleast visit my parents

I accept it is my fault as I knew beforehand that my original country does not accept two citizenships.

1. If I withdraw my australian citizenship application now will it have an affect on my returning resident visa which I will be applying soon? (note: citizenship letter could arrive any time. I have already done the interview & test a month back)

2. What if the citizenship letter arrives tommorrow? Can I still withdraw after grant of citizenship?

3. What if I delay the oath so that I have time to think and can I withdraw later say after 6 months and what effect will this have? or what if I do not attend the swearing ceremony atall?

I know many would be cursing me saying I should not have applied in first place but please please help me

Yours truly,
Confused

I don't think youre original country will ever know - Aus does not have to tell them does it?

Does your home country have to know? Can their dictat be ignored. I qualify for dual citizenship (neither including Australia) and one of my "home" countries had for many years a law stating that you could not hold dual citizenship but everyone simply ignored the law and life went on. Get your new citizenship and get on with your life including going "home" whenever necessary. BTW where is home now? Oz perchance? or where you grew up? this is the nub of your real decision.

Is this not simply encouraging the OP to do something illegal? He's asking for a legal solution to his problem, not "don't tell anyone and you'll get away with it".

Yes, you can contact your local DIAC office to let them know you wish to withdraw your application. Unfortunately you will probably lose your application fee. You shouldn't worry about your RRV. Loads of people live here for a long time and don't take out citizenship.

For peace of mind I would go in person to the DIAC office where you took your test and speak to someone in person. You're not actually a citizen until you have done the ceremony, so even if your letter arrives tomorrow there's no harm done.

If your citizenship was revoked at the time, it was revoked - even if you pretend otherwise.

It's like that for Australians who became citizens of other countries before 2002. Even if they still have valid Australian passports, their passports are invalid.

On the other hand, perhaps your citizenship wasn't revoked ... impossible to say unless you share the name of the country with us.

Before taking such a drastic step, perhaps share the name of the country with us? Sometimes citizenship laws are not always what they seem.

Hi,

The earlier citizenship will be automatically revoked on getting Australian citizenship. Secondly with today's modern technology finding it will also be easy (when getting a visa to that country or entry/exit stamps etc so I don't want to do anything illlegal).

I am not even interested in visiting "that" country but just because of my parents... and any emergency that may arise to visit them.

After gaining Australian citizenship I will be eligible to visit that country but with a "visa" and a visa can be cancelled any time.

Also with the radical governmeent if some element say that those who opted for another country are "traitors" and later even a visa could be denied and entering will be a big problem whereas with a passport it wouldn't be.

If my parents weren't there I would have never even though of visiting that country again.

Sigh.

What is the country?

When some countries say they "don't allow dual citizenship" they really mean that they ignore your foreign citizenship. Others do revoke your citizenship immediately (eg Kenya, India, Denmark). Still others don't automatically revoke your citizenship but will do if they find out you have another (eg Malaysia).

I am from one of the african nations. Now please dont insist on name. I knoe the country does not allow dual citizenship.

Regards

and also the current citizenship is revoked immediately on gaining another passport/citizenship

Regards

With respect, you don't know unless you have read the relevant legislation - have you?

You don't become a citizen until you take the oath, so you could keep the option open for the time being.

Thanks Jaj for your replies

That's why I asked in my first question whether I can delay the oath so that I get some more time to think.

People are eager to gain Australian citizenship (including me) and would not like to loose such a great opportunity in life and regret later. You know what I mean. So am very confused.

Regards,

Rather than stating the country publicly why not send JAJ a private message. He is very knowledgeable and I'm certain he would be able to help.

Even if you receive the citizenship approval letter, you are not yet an Australian citizen until you actually take the Pledge of Citizenship (usually done in a Citizenship Ceremony in your local council). You are therefore still a PR (non-citizen) in the eyes of Australian law until then. They will not cancel your PR (RRV) - which remains to be your status between the time citizenship is approved and the time you actually take the pledge. You cannot be a citizen-in-limbo or PR-in-limbo.

Also I suggest consulting someone with knowledge/expertise on local laws in your country of origin.