Hi all,
I am currently a permanent resident in SA, close to the end of my second year as PR. Before I gained the PR I had been on a student visa for 3 months and before that, on another student visa for 20 months, but with a 2 months gap in between, during which, I went back to my home country.
I know the residence requirement for citizenship: 4 years since first entry, 2 years as PR, no more than 12 months out of OZ during the 4 years period and no more than 90 days in the last year.
I will meet all these requirements soon, as I got my first student visa 4 years ago, I have lived in Australia for the last four years, have been out of the country for 4 months in total and only 20 days during last year. However, between my first and second student visa, I have a 2 months gap where I had no valid visa and was out of the country. Does that affect the calculation? I couldn't find the answer on the department's website. Can any "expert" shed some light?
regards,
Miquel