There was talk a while ago of the ruels being altered in regards to length of time on PR before being allowed to apply for citizenship for those who have been on a temp visa before PR, ie spouse visa etc.

I have been keeping any eye on it and can see no evidence of change yet, just wondered if those in the know as such have heard any whispers?

Cheers
Kala

Nothing as yet. The Minister has indicated legislation should be introduced this year so you'll just have to be patient.

It may be well into 2006 before any changes take effect.

Jeremy

Hi Kala,

What are the potential changes..?? Would it reduce the time on PR to take account of the time spent on a temp visa prior to being allowed to apply for citizenship..??

Cheers,
RT.

All revealed here:
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/info/changes.htm


Jeremy

Thanks fort he link Jeremy, just the information I have been looking for.

Kala

What does it mean by the highlighted part of this:

introducing a discretion to allow for a total of twelve months spent in Australia as a lawful temporary resident prior to application to be counted as permanent residence if the applicant was involved in activities beneficial to the interests of Australia during that period;

hehe. i've been waiting for this to happen too. however, since i'll be eligible in october anyway, i guess that'll come into effect before the new legislation - unless of course work insist that the trip to the us they want me to go on is not negotiable

Thanks for the link Jeremy.


Hmmm... it seems pretty open doesn't it..
I reckon it implies that one would have had to be contributing to the country (work, business, etc)... for example, perhaps a year spent laying on a beach and surfing would not be eligible towards citizenship... d'oh..!!

RT.

In article <[email protected]> , Jaj wrote:
    > All revealed here:
    > http://www.citizenship.gov.au/info/changes.htm

"Children of former Australian citizens
The Act will be amended to provide for grant of citizenship to a person
of good character and over the age of 18 years who was born overseas
after their parent lost citizenship under the former section 17."

Read with interest: my mother was born in Australia and kept her
Australian citizenship until c.1970's when she took up British
citizenship - she actually left Australia to come to the UK when she
was 4 and only changed because of the hassle when returning to the UK
from foreign holidays and cross-channel day trips.

Since this subject became of interest to me I was given to understand
that I could have been registered for Australian citizenship before I
was 18 (at which time my mother was still Australian citizen) but
post-18, no. Will this change things?

--
Tony Bryer UK

The opportunity for under 18s in a similar position to yours to be granted Australian citizenship was only introduced in October 2003, so unless you turned 18 recently it's not likely to have made much difference.

It sounds like the legislation may well help you, so keep an eye out on the DIMIA website and forums like this one. No-one is going to know exactly how the legislation will work until it is passed by Parliament.

The rules for resuming Australian citizenship will also be relaxed.

As for your mother, she may be able to get her Australian citizenship back under the current law. Form 132 has details:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/132.pdf

Jeremy

Can we assume that time spent in Australia on a 457 visa counts as performing duties beneficial to Australia? Since the grant of a 457 is on the basis that ones skills and services are of value to Australia.

It's likely that once the legislation is in place (mid 2006) time on a 457 will count, up to a max of 1 year - you'll likely still need to be a PR for 1 year before applying for citizenship.

But no-one will know until the legislation is passed - you will need to be patient for now.

Jeremy