Phab

I think you should contact DIAC and check the cause for delay. It could be possible that your local council does not conduct frequent citizenship ceremonies. Also check with your local council about when the citizenship ceremonies are held, you may then know how long you may have to wait for your ceremony. 6 months seems to be a long time after application approval for ceremony. Phab.

Hi Dennic, My answers to your questions: What are the rules to this? - There are many rules to apply for a PR visa, or to be sponsored for a PR visa, you will have to look at the DIAC website for latest/correct information. Can we go back once we have this? - Yes, you can go back after you are granted a PR visa, but then the visa expires after 5 years (also as Bamboozled mentioned) from the date it was granted. If you don't return within 5 years then the visa gets cancelled and you cannot return to Australia on that visa. You will have to start from the beginning. Please see more on Resident Return Visa (RRV). Will my boys be on it forever or will they need to get their own when they reach 18? - Your boys will be on it forever, they don't have to get one when they reach 18. Will hubby have to stay and work for the company for a set amount of time? - It depends on the company (unless it is regional sponsored or similar then there may be other conditions attached). In my case, I had to sign a deal with my company that I will work for them for at least 2 years. I can leave earlier but then I will have to pay them the visa cost on pro-rata, as the company paid for all expenses towards my PR visa. How long out of OZ till the PR is taken away? - 5 years, also see how RRV works. But once you get your PR, you can apply for Aus. citizenship. There are visa/residency conditions to apply for Aus. citizenship, like: - Have been residing in Aus. for at least 4 years (including at least 1 year as a PR) - Some other conditions.. Before taking any decision, please look for latest/correct information at the DIAC website. Hope you will be able to take the right decision. Regards Phab.

Update: I got my test details today. Test on Oct 15th. So, got the test details few days to 2 months from application lodgement. Phab.

Hi debbio I have previously used services of Crown Relocations, when moved to Brisbane. They were very good. They kept us updated throughout. They did good packing and things were delivered in good condition. You just have to tell them what all is to be packed, and they will do the rest. I am not sure if Crown is expensive, as my company paid for the relocations. Phab.

Hi HappyHeart, Yes we submitted with different email addresses. I think even if we had given the same email address we may have not got the response on same time/day. This is just my thought, but you could be correct. Phab

Hi, It's been 8 weeks now since lodging our Citizenship applications online. My wife received her test dates by email yesterday. I didn't receive any mail yet. I called DIAC to know of any updates to my application. The guy to whom I spoke mentioned that the applications get assigned to different case officers and they then assign each application to a specific date/time for test. It could be possible that our applications are assigned to different case officers so we will get mails regarding our test dates at different times. Now DIAC asked me to wait until 3 months are complete from lodgement date, by then I may receive an email with my test date. Will wait patiently anyway can't do anything else. Phab.

I had called up DIAC to know of any updates to my citizenship application and I mentioned to them that their client service charter says of 10 days within which we can expect details of test date, etc. The person told me that the charter needs updating, and now for Brisbane it is taking more time than that. It seems it can now take up to 8 weeks to know of test details after application is lodged. So the person asked me to wait for another month and even then if I don't receive any news from them, then can call DIAC to check. Can't do anything now, will wait for another month. Phab

Good to know PTobin that you got a test date. So that was like in a week you received the test date. What is your council? For me it's been 3+ weeks but haven't received any updates (other than lodgement confirmation and "application being processed" message). Mine is Brisbane council. I have checked online "The Citizenship by Conferral Application Process" and it says that applicant can expect DIAC to: "- provide you with a letter within 10 working days of application lodgement which contains your citizenship test or interview appointment details, a reference number and contact details for our Citizenship Information Line." Ref: http://www.immi.gov.au/about/charters/client-services-charter/standards/2.5.htm Maybe this is again conditional, depending on the council. I have a question, prior to my citizenship test can I travel overseas? What impact will this have on my citizenship application? Thanks. Phab

Hi CalNgary, When you say you called up Brisbane do you mean Brisbane DIAC? I thought when you call DIAC it goes to their centralised call centre somewhere, how were you able to called DIAC Brisbane directly? If one can call Brisbane DIAC directly, when is the right time to check with them for availability of test appointment (I mean how many days/weeks after lodging the application)? Thanks. Phab.

Hello All, Seems like I have found the right post, PTobin thanks for starting this. I have lodged our citizenship application on 21st July, all required documents uploaded on 24th July, Brisbane council. It seems depending on the numbers of applications at Brisbane, it may take me around 2-3 months for an appointment for the tests. After that it may take another 2-3 months for the ceremony. If I hear something earlier that would be good Just waiting to hear some update from the DIAC. Will keep you all updated on the application progress. Phab.