vickyplum

6 hours ago, Wanderer Returns said:

I'd not let the hotel quarantine influence your decision to return to Australia, if that's what you really want to do. It's short-term pain for some long-term gain, and you don't have to pay for it up front either (I think you get 30 days). I'd look at the costs involved in getting back here as an expensive holiday, as it will feel like a holiday once you arrive - at least for a short while!

Agree with @Wanderer Returns. There's no sign of the quarantine requirement being removed or shortened, so for now, the cost will need to be factored in as part of the overall move costs. Otherwise you can't plan, because there's no indication of when all this might 'go away'. 

Emails

Calendar/diary entries 

Photo date stamps

Check loyalty cards / airmiles records, etc

No need to list trips within GB & NI.

3 hours ago, budeman said:

Many thanks for the replies -

I hope I am using the correct application as I haven't had to upload anything yet but I am only up to page 11 of 34.  I am completing the "Australian citizenship by conferral"  as shown below (I already have PR)  

Yes that's the right one.

Be patient   Also you don't have to do it all at once. 

I put No on that part - so only provided my parents' names, DOB and location of birth.

Can't answer your checklist question as I uploaded the documentation that I had, which most suited the various parts of the application.

Essentially it's your home country passport details, local ID (such as driver licence), birth certificate, form 1195 (verifying your identify and signed by someone on the list of professions) as well as proof of your first entry into Australia on your visa.  And also everyone's favourite question where you have to list all the countries you've visited over the past various lifetimes.

Some of the documents will get used more than once. You may have more types of documentation or ID, depending on where you're from.

On 24/11/2020 at 16:15, sydneyishuk said:

Hi All,

Sorry if this question has already been answered - I did flick back a few pages... but no joy.

I need to send my UK passport off to be renewed (it expires in 6 months) this is likely to take some time to get the renewal due to delays with covid in the UK.  Just wondering if I am called for the interview/test and do not have my passport will it be an issue?

I do have ID documents such as NSW Drivers License and UK License, Birth Certificate, Medicare Card...

Can anyone confirm on this?

Thanks in advance  

I had my interview/test a few weeks back and I was asked to show my passport and NSW licence - nothing else.  In fact I'd sent my UK passport for renewal, it didn't get back in time (I waited until a few days beforehand) and had to reschedule my test as a result!  So I would definitely assume they will ask for your passport, as that's the main document that provides your (UK) identity.  Your licence proves your Australia based (NSW) identity.  

Have you actually got a test date yet?  My passport renewal took a month from arrival of the old passport in the UK until I go the new (and old) one returned to me here.  Plus the time it took the old passport to reach the UK.

So Home Affairs couldn't fix the online application problem, and recommended to apply via paper form. Then they rejected the paper application, but can't tell you why that happened and can't advise on next steps?  Seriously, you couldn't make this up if you tried!!  Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time with them.

Have you been back to Husband's online portal since; can you try again using that?  Or maybe chat to an agent and see what they recommend! I don't know what would happen if DHA received a second application after the first was rejected...?

OMGs 

21 hours ago, Mazen said:

 

I wish this will happen soon!

However, the pandemic situation is settled where I'm located (touch wood) and, I reckon it will be a regular ceremony at the council

I was told during my interview that the ceremonies are back to being in person now (this was NSW).

16 hours ago, paulhand said:

Visitor visas are being granted to people who either don’t need a travel exemption (partner/children of Aus citizens and PRs) and those who qualify for an exemption on other grounds. 

Which I why I added the comment "none of us are experts apart from the migration agents"    Thanks! 

I think your first hurdle would be getting the visitor visa approved. The borders are closed - apart for returning residents - so I would doubt that visitor visas are even being granted at the moment.  My parents applied for one shortly after the COVID19 restrictions started (my Dad, quite sweetly, said he always liked to have them ready 'just incase') but they haven't been granted - presumably because there are no visitors currently being accepted in to the country.

I'm not an expert (none of us are - apart from the migration agents who provide advice on the forum) - so this is my limited understanding of the situation.

8 hours ago, ToowoombaBlue said:

Did anyone find the test daunting? 
As with everyone else, my wife and I have done the practice tests a hundred times over. Still the fear of the unknown I suppose.

Yes I was worried about it - but I always worry about any test or exam situation!

Just keep reading 'Our Common Bond' and do ALL the practice test you can find on the internet   You will be fine on the day.

39 minutes ago, coquette said:

I did the test same day at Sydney, same questions was asked unfortunately have not heard back yet

Hi @coquette - I had my interview/test today (finally!) and was told that all the ceremonies are back to being 'in person' now. Assume that means all of them in NSW and not just my particular council... Maybe they are saving us up for the big Australia Day celebration   

Coming back to this again... I've just sat my interview and test. Was explicitly told I didn't need a police check as I've only been out of the country on short holidays. 

17 hours ago, Bondi797 said:

Any updates on what month Sydney CBD test centers / invitations are at? Cheers

I applied June 2019 and only have my test this week (was postponed from April).

32 minutes ago, FOL said:

You can't visit anything due to covid19. You are directed to a designated area where you have to stay.

OK then. I  was referring to times when I've visited the airport, in non-COVID19 times. Clearly I'm out of touch since not leaving Australia in nearly 11 months.

I would absolutely choose Singapore, given the choice. Breaks up the flight legs more evenly, much much nicer airport (visit the Jewel if you end up going that way and have time to spare!) and various other reasons, including the recent 'searches' of women who were pulled off a departing flight.

2 hours ago, Coco M said:

Actually I have 3 out of 4 passports, and there are no arrival stamps in them!!! 

Typical 

They specifically ask for evidence of when you first arrived in Australia - and also they ask you to bring it with you to the test/interview (it's a bullet point in the interview invite letter).

Do you have your old passport somewhere?  I scanned the stamp on the page that was given when I visited to activate my visa. I have no idea if they will want to see if or not, but I will have it ready anyway.

it was my understanding (roughly! - I can't quote exact details or paragraphs of text ) that if you're been in Aus for most of the period leading to your application/test etc, the police check is done for you (ie, what you've mentioned above) and if you've spent a lot of time outside of the country, you may be asked obtain a check from that country, which I think you have to organise for yourself.

I guess they don't want to be awarding citizenship to anyone with a serious mark on their record (which I suppose could easily between the last police check being done for visa and 'now').

I don't think it's  a new process anyway

EDIT: found this - scroll down to "For Citizenship applications": https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-text/evidence/Pages/et-h0009.aspx

I googled "withdraw australian citizenship application" and the first result was:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/change-in-situation/withdraw-visa-application 

Seems you just need to complete a form (1446) to withdraw your application.

I used my holiday photos to date some of the trips! 

15 hours ago, Wanderer Returns said:

I pay $30/month with Amaysim and get 55GB/month, unlimited calls and texts to both Australian and UK landlines and mobiles (and 28 other countries). My wife is on the same plan so we get 110GB/month data. We don't even bother with broadband internet any more! When you call mobile to mobile it's crystal clear - not like using Skype, Viber or these other VoIP programs.

https://www.amaysim.com.au/plans/mobile-plans?ref=hpb

 

I'm on the same plan! Amaysim keep giving out more data for the same cost... Not complaining! 

I've got a mobile pay monthly/PAYG plan that includes UK and loads of other countries for free. It's $30 per month with a huge amount of data that I never use up (50GB I think)... but compared to @davlap''s deal, I'm being ripped off!!   Also have the facility to use Whatsapp but have given up on Skype.

1 hour ago, Aug2017ACT said:

you didn't have to do that. Expired passport is also OK

I know I didn't have to do it. My options were to (1) Keep the passport until whatever time a citizenship test/interview date become available - bearing in mind there was NO guidance on this timeframe - with the risk of it expiring and becoming unusable.  Or (2) to send the passport back to the UK, with the risk that a test/interview date would come up in the meantime.

My new passport is on the way back to Aus now, which should be followed shortly by the old/expired one, so I won't have to delay the test/interview by much. 

I asked my surgery for a copy of my records before leaving the UK - there was a token sum of money to be paid, and they literally just printed everything off and handed it over to me. Was definitely no big discussion or issue for them. I haven't actually needed the records since!    

Presumably any pre-existing conditions or treatments have been identified by your friend's new GP by now so the UK records become less important as time passes by?

Also check - https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-access-your-health-records/

21 hours ago, coquette said:

Hi Guys

Just a quick update , so we did our test (me , my husband and my elder son) in Sydney CBD office yesterday. Easy process, you just show your IDs and original documents attached to your application to the officer, then they ask you if you are interested in a virtual ceremony which we said yes of course (they said the councils are still having no ceremonies allowed). We all had different officers though .

We did the test and we all passed, only my son got his application approved an hour after , me and my husband still showing received until now. No idea why still but I assume maybe because we went for a holiday overseas once (my son did not leave the country at all).

Anyways will let you all how we go! hopefully our applications get approved with no further delays or requests . 

Cheers all

Citizenship application : 07/08/2019

Received invitation to do the test : 02/2020

Initial Test Date: 27/04/2020 (Cancelled due to covid)

Second Test Invitation: 11/09/2020

Test Date: 27/09/2020- Passed

Application: Received

Ceremony: TBA

City: Sydney CBD

Congrats!  I've got my interview/test date now for Sydney CBD, but of course in the meantime I sent my passport back to UK for renewal (it was a gamble that (i) it expires and I can't travel if the border reopens or (ii) or I don't have it back in time for the test).  So I will probably end up rescheduling the test date, as UK passport processing is much slowed down because COVID.