jess6

Hi Everyone, Just updating my info, I just had my virtual Citizenship Ceremony. It was very quick and easy. I had sent an email on 27/04/2020 but I had not followed up with documents or anything as I do not think my circumstances were particular (I am pregnant but I do not believe it is relevant). So I think that it should be indicative for anyone having been approved in December 2019. Hope that helps! Citizenship Application lodged online: 09/05/2019 (aknowledgement received on the same day) Citizenship Email for the test received: 19/07/2019 Citizenship Test on: 19/12/2019 (results: 100%) Citizenship Application approved 20/12/2019 Citizenship Approval letter received: 08/01/2019 EOI received: 23/06/2020 Invitation received: 26/06/2020 Citizenship Ceremony: 30/06/2020 Council: City of Port Phillip (Melbourne, Victoria)

What makes you think it concerns only Canberra? https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/davidcoleman/Pages/statement-on-australian-citizenship-processing.aspx Regarding the timeline, yes, this is what I was saying : announced solution is in line with the usual timeline. Why do you think I was surprised? My observation about my council was that ceremony would usually happen 4 to 5 months after approval date when I checked in December. But that always fluctuates. Before COVID, I was expecting receiving an invitation for early May. so yes, I thought and still think the online solution will probably stay within timelines. I now expect receiving an invitation for July or August.

of course they are. someone from another forum just got approved today.

Yes, that was already the official timeline before. I personally got approved on December 20 and still hadn't received an invitation for the mid-April ceremony of my council which indicates that timeline. I think that we have to admit that considering the circumstances, it is actually a pretty good effort from the department. They could have very well put us on ice.

Here you go: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6713550/virus-drives-citizenship-ceremonies-online/?cs=14231

The department is still processing applications, things are just taking longer than usual.

My experience with immigration : the people you get on the phone are usually not aware of upcoming changes. So I would take this information with a grain of salt. Each minister has their how set of responsibilities, and this will be looked at like any other problematic. We will know soon which decision will be made when it will be officially announced. I wrote to my local MP about the situation of approved applicants waiting for the ceremony (attaching the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/australian-government-department-of-home-affairs-alternative-electronic-method-for-citizenship-ceremonies-for-approved-applicants?source_location=topic_page) and mentioning the NZ solution. He answered and told me that they were aware of the situation and hoping for a positive outcome soon for all approved applicants. I do believe that approved applicants will see positive outcomes. As it seems logical to help clearing the backlog and to win these applicants for the next elections are they will get the right to vote pretty soon now. Let's be positive.

More to do with the Minister and the Department than the councils. You have the possibility of signing this: http://chng.it/GD5tCbDShK Also, you can write to your local PM and the Department to raise it. NZ has already found a solution, so AU should be able to do so as well.

Hi Everyone, I just discovered this : http://chng.it/GD5tCbDShK This is a petition to ask for the approved citizenships to be formalised like they have been in New Zealand. I am aware that there are tons of things more important in the world but still, it feels like Australia could do it if NZ can... Cheers

Hi Everyone, I received my approval letter by mail yesterday (January 8) while my application was approved on December 20 in my immi account. So basically exactly 10 business days (removing the public holidays). In terms of ceremony, I expect being invited for March (if I am lucky), April or May (if I am unlucky). April is probably most likely. I made this assumption by looking at another forum online which keeps track, by council, of applications of the forum participants. I saw that the average waiting time for my council was around 4 months. 2020 Ceremony dates for Port Phillip (VIC) council are : 26 January (Australia Day), 12 March, 23 April, 7 May, 23 July, 17 September (Citizenship Day), 19 November I thought this info might be helpful :)

Hi Everyone, Happy New Year! I hope 2020 see a lot of quick citizenship approvals :D My citizenship got approved on December 20th (still waiting for the letter, probably delayed because of Chistmas). I do not think I will be part of the January 26th ceremony and I expect being in the March or April one (Port Phillip Council (VIC)) I have a questions for you: - Have any of you travelled overseas after their approval and before the ceremony? - How did you let the department know? - Do we have to get an approval, and if so how long does it take? Thank you :) Cheers

Thank you Kaz! :) The Immigration lady only checked my Passport, Medicare Card, Australian Driver licence and the original of my Birth Certificate (along with the Naati translation of it). From the above, my Australian Driver licence is the only document with my current address on it I personally had brought everything with me just in case (bills and tenancy agreement). I am not sure if other officers ask for more documents. As a side note, she scanned my documents. She also took a photo of me. The discussion was quite quick and then I took the test which is in line with the test exemple provided on the immigration website. After the test, they run a police check. I saw the approval in my immigration account. I did not receive a notification, I proactively checked my account. She told me that I would receive a letter though. Let me know if you have any other questions :)

Hi Everyone, Just sharing my timeline Application lodged online 09/05/2019 Email for the test received: 19/07/2019 Test on: 19/12/2019 Application approved 20/12/2019 Ceremony: waiting for letter Council: City of Port Phillip (Melbourne)

I agree with that, people who are eligible - or are becoming eligible during the negociations - should definitely apply. I just obtained my PR early last month (after over 5 years 457 in Australia) so I cannot apply but if I were eligible under the "old rules", I would apply. By the way, the "old rules" are actually the current rules...

Backdating, English level and Dutton superpower seem to be the main issues for the committee but I do not see anything against the 4 years PR requirement. Labor (and the Greens ?) is the only party expressing concerns around the 4 years waiting period. I agree with Xenophon when he says that the government is trying "“to fix problems that don't exist” There are so many things that need to be worked on in Australia, it is really disappointing and annoying to see the current government constantly doing political maneuvers in attempt to keep their power instead of just governing... As a taxpayer who does not have the right to vote, it really gets on my nerves. Anyways, my hope is to see the next election happen before this bill gets to pass.