Are you thinking about applying for Australian citizenship? It’s a great choice with many advantages. Citizenship confers many benefits, including visa-free travel to many more countries and the freedom to live and work in the country for most of your life.
But what exactly do you need to be able to apply for Australian citizenship? Is there a citizenship test you need to take? And what are the residency requirements?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Full-Time Residency
To become a full-time resident of Australia, applicants should have lived in Australia for at least four years and had a permanent residence status before applying.
They must have stayed in the country for 365 days in the four years before the application can be made. It is a prerequisite for permanent residence status for four years before you apply for citizenship, but you can live in the country for nine to twelve months before applying.
Once applicants have determined they are eligible, they must apply for citizenship.
The Ceremony
At the citizenship ceremony, applicants make an Australian citizenship pledge in which they pledge allegiance to Australia, state that they share its democratic beliefs, respect its rights and freedoms, and respect and abide by its laws.
Applicants must also take a citizenship test based. The test includes fundamental questions on Australian culture and values.
Rules Before 1949
A person born before January 26 1949, in Australia or New Guinea, may be registered as an Australian citizen. This is provided their parents were born or are naturalized citizens of Australia.
This also applies to New Guinea before becoming an Australian citizen on or after that date. A person becomes a citizen on the day the Ministry of the Interior registers them.
A British citizen born outside Australia on or before January 24 1949, the son of an Australian father, can become an Australian citizen by entering the country on a permanent visa before April 30 1987.
Dual Citizenship and the Test
Being able to say that you are a citizen has several other advantages if you become a citizen of the country where you live. Dual citizenship is also a consideration and permitted under the laws of other countries.
The United States does not recognize immigration-related relationships, so you need a marriage certificate to qualify as a spouse.
The Australian Home Office has a range of resources to test your knowledge and preparation for the citizenship test.
The Citizenship Wizard is available on the Home Office website to determine whether you meet the residence requirements. Remember, this page has more information about how to practice for the test.
If, for any reason, the Minister of Immigration may refuse your request. If you are already in Australia, you can still apply on paper. Please send it to the overseas citizenship office in Canberra.
Rules After 1986
If your parents were born on or after August 20, 1986, in Australia, you must provide them with a complete birth certificate of the Australian RBDM, an Australian birth certificate of your grandparents (issued under the Australian RBDM), and an Australian citizenship certificate of your parents.
You will be issued a visa if you were born more than five years ago. You must have been in Australia for less than 90 days to submit your application in the last 12 months.
E-3 is a visa classification for Australian nationals and their spouses and children. E-3 Directors are applicants who have gone to the United States to work in a speciality or profession. E3 spouses are entitled to work legally in the US and must apply for a work permit document (Form USA).
Achieving a bachelor’s or advanced degree in a particular field or equivalent is the minimum required to enter a profession in the United States.
Dependent applicants who do not apply with the Main Applicant together with a copy of pages 1-5 of the LCA and, if applicable, a copy of the last visa issued by the Main Applicant with which they earned E-3 status and the approval notice of US ID 797 must provide for them.
What About New Zealanders?
New Zealand nationals who entered the country before February 2001 must apply for Australian permanent residence status to obtain Australian citizenship. New Zealanders can become Australian citizens without registering or becoming naturalized, but there is no requirement to obtain permanent resident status before February 2001.
What about a person born before becoming an Australian citizen in Australia? Someone whose birth parents are Australian citizens or permanent residents? They must have at least one parent who is a New Zealand citizen and resides as an SCV holder in Australia. This is essential citizenship advice.
This does not apply to diplomatic, civil servants, guest members, crew members of aircraft or ships, members of New Zealand Armed Forces, wives, husbands, or other relatives of such persons born outside Australia or at any time after the birth of a mother or father in Australia.
No obligations or obligations are associated with the enjoyment of Australian citizenship. The Ministry of the Interior provides a helpful overview of granting citizenship. This is great advice for moving countries.
Australian Citizenship Is Great
Australian citizenship is well worth getting if you can. It enables you to travel to many countries visa-free, open a bank account and settle in Australia without hassle.
