dsdrussell

On 17/03/2020 at 18:55, Maryan said:

Congratulations. 

Its strange that they have cancelled some of them but executed some. May I know how many of them were there in the ceremony?

Thanks.   Think it came down to the individual councils to decide whether to go ahead.   There were 165 new citizens in mine.    With the new rules of no more than 100, suspect most will be postponed now.

Happy to say I’m now officially an Australian Citizen!

Ceremony went ahead today, albeit with Social Distancing and no photographer or friends/families allowed. No reception afterwards either.

A strange day, but understandable given the current environment. Happy to finally become an Aussie! It’s been a rocky road at times, but I finally made it!

Good luck everyone on your journeys!

Over and out! Dean

Citizenship ceremony still going ahead on the 
Northern Beaches tomorrow at the moment:

Important information regarding your citizenship ceremony tomorrow evening

In light of the latest advice from the Department of Health on Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are changing the format of the ceremony on Monday evening. These are precautionary measures to ensure your safety and that of our staff as well as allowing the ceremony to continue.

The key message now is about the effective management of what is called ‘social distancing’. This is about creating safe space between people in public places to minimise the risk of transmitting the virus. So to reduce the number of people at Monday’s ceremony we have implemented the following changes:

1.       We request that only yourself and family members receiving a certificate attend.

Due to limits on the number attending, we ask that no additional family or friends come along.

Please take photos to commemorate the occasion with your family and friends at home.

2.       Additional spacing  between seats will be allocated for those attending.

This is about creating safe spaces for you and reducing the risk of transmission.

3.       Your certificate will be issued to you in your individual folder.

Unfortunately, there will be no presentations or photos taken during the ceremony on stage.

We appreciate your support in putting in place the best measures for the safety of everyone in our community. There will also be hand sanitizer available and hand washing facilities at the venue

I’ve got my ceremony on Monday 16th. No news of cancellation yet, but wouldn’t be surprised to receive one on Monday.

I received this update on Friday:

Further information regarding your upcoming citizenship ceremony

We recently wrote to you to provide information on precautionary safety measures at your citizenship ceremony in regards to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

In addition to the measures now in place, the department recommends that you do not bring children, family members or other guests to your citizenship ceremony.

If you are unwell with respiratory illness please do not attend your scheduled citizenship ceremony.

If you cannot attend this ceremony, you will receive notification of non-attendance which you should disregard in this instance and a new ceremony invitation will be sent to you in due course.

If you have already attended your citizenship ceremony, please disregard this message.

The Department of Health is leading the response within Australia and is providing advice on the safety precautions that should be put in place which is available from the Department of Health website using the following link: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov

This is an automated message from the Department of Home Affairs from an unmonitored mailbox. Please do not reply.

You shouldn’t need the form 1195.

They only ask for Passport, Birth Certificate, Medicare card and a bill with proof of current address.

Hi, 
Does anyone know what current processing times are like for SYDNEY?
many thanks

Hi all,
I've seen a lot of people mentioning the Acknowledgement email, and I was wondering what that email actually said? Simply that they have received the application? or a little more?
I applied for citizenship on the 12th of February 2020 (impatient, I know!) and it only said that it was submitted. I'm sure this is normal but just wanted a little clarification if anyone had any. I'm in Brisbane and going by what people say, it's a very long processing time here.
Thanks in advance,
Greg

Also received my citizenship ceremony invite by email yesterday.

Monday 16th March
Northern Beaches Council in Sydney

Not a bad turnaround from test on 9th December and just over a year for the full process (applied 12th March 2019)

1 hour ago, KazBaker said:

Dear Friends,

What identity documents need to bring at Interview for Citizenship test. Driving license, Passport, medicare and Tenant lease contract. These are the documents available for me right now. Is there anything else i have to show at interview? 

Friends live in Melbourne please share your valuable experience as well. Thanks 

Stay safe

That should be fine!

I had all of that plus a utility bill.

They only asked me for Passport, Aus Driving Licence and Medicare card.

Will vary depending on person interviewing you but Tenant Lease will cover you for 2nd proof of address if they ask for it.

Good luck!

2 minutes ago, Indianinoz said:

Hello all,

What is the email address from which you get invitation for the Citizenship test, approval and ceremony? To avoid the email going into Spam/Promotions folder etc., I'd like to add it to my contacts/white list in my email account so that I don't miss it.

You'll get the Citizenship appointment from:

Application received - 13th May 2019
Randwick council
I am yet to hear anything, I know the wait time is long and I would be shocked if I heard anything yet but just wondering if anyone in same location and similar application time is any further? 
 
Thanks :) 

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 :)
 
 

1 hour ago, daiz33 said:

Date of Application: 16 Oct 2019
Appointment Letter:  11 Dec 2019

Interview and Test Date: 8 April 2020 (Melbourne)

 

Very exciting! Does anyone know what the interview is like ? How long is it?

 

The interview is relatively straightforward.

They asked for my passport, driving licence and Medicare card.

From this the lady asked where I had traveled since I gained PR (she could see the details her screen).

After that she checked and scanned my Birth Certificate - then took me to do the test.

Applied: 12th March 2019
Citizenship appt received: 29th November 2019
Citizenship test: 9th December 2019
Approval Online: 9th December 2019
Sydney CBD
Just the wait for ceremony to go (Northern Beaches Council)

You can check your visa status at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online

Just got my PR approved!!

Direct Entry

Retail Buyer

Applied 28/09/17

Nomination approve 07/02/18

Further Docs Requested (medical) 07/02/18  (took medical on 14/02)

Visa Approved 12/03/18

2 hours ago, Jimmynut24 said:

Awesome! when did you apply? 

I applied at the end of September 2017.     Probably helps I work for one of the top 3 retailers - low risk application.

1 minute ago, Sk8009 said:

were you asked to retake your medical?

No - I didn't take the medical when I applied as the wait time was showing 10-15 months for the visa - didn't want to risk having to pay for it twice- was planning to take it next month anyway

2 minutes ago, Jimmynut24 said:

Yeah I am just stating a point. All I have seen is those who have applied with MLTSSL being looked at recently. I haven't heard of a STSOL application being looked into recently. Makes sense though I guess given that MLTSSL are where they want to fill the gaps so they take priority. 12 is still within the 10 - 15 current processing time so you are all good. What further information have they asked for?

My application is on the STSOL and nomination was approved on the 7th Feb (Retail Buyer) for Direct Entry.       I was asked to take the medical on the 7th Feb, which I did on the 14th Feb and results were uploaded on the 15th Feb.     Now just waiting for them to go back into my application...........

47 minutes ago, ALAM said:

2 hours ago, Amy86 said:

Hi, 
did you tried true this website: www.bupamvs.com.au? 

thanks for reply... ya I tried. but it was showing all booked.

They are only releasing bookings for the following week at the moment due to high demand.    You should be able to book for Monday 26th tomorrow - each day they release the bookings for the week after.

i did my medical in Sydney last week and this was the case 

Hi Siddu

They are processing some Skill level 3 applications.

I got my nomination approved last week and was asked to take my medicals:

Low Risk

1 applicant

Direct Entry

Occupation:  Retail Buyer

Lodged 28/09/2017

Nomination approved 07/02/2018 

Medical taken 14/02/2018

Now the nervous wait on how the medical went...............

33 minutes ago, Brendan said:

I received this response from our MA: "Unfortunately, after March 2018 only those with occupations on the MLTSSL will be able to apply. It is those applicants who will need to meet the three year requirement on their 457 visa. As your occupation is only on the STSOL, if you cannot lodge an application before March 2018, then there is no PR pathway available to you in your current role/occupation." Not what I wanted to hear and hoping they somehow got it wrong!
 

I've been told similar by my company's MA.     That is her interpretation as well.    Not sure that the TRT route after March 2018 has been fully finalised yet, but as it stands, it's looking that way.

Currently looking at the Direct Entry Sponsored stream which she believes will be OK as long as we get the application in pre-March 2018.   Will need to get a Skills Assessment first which can take 3 months as well.................

Similar story for me. Visa was granted in Dec 2014, moved in Jan 2015.

Was made redundant from my job in Melbourne in Nov 2016, started a new job who took over my visa in Jan 2017. Visa expires in Dec 2018 and I cannot get to 2 years with my new company to apply through the TRT route.....

Got a catch up with HR tomorrow about the changes and hopefully will get some more news on my options, but fully expecting to be told no PR route from what I've read. As previous posters have said though, until the changes are announced, no-one really knows for sure... the MA our company uses was at a round table meeting with head of DIBP a few weeks ago, so waiting for an update from that...

It's annoying, but totally out of my control, so trying not to let it worry me......


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I'm also waiting from an answer from my work - different circumstances to you, been here since Jan 2015, visa expires Dec 2018, but can't reach 2 yrs in my current role after I started a new job in Jan this year due to redundancy in my last role.

From what I have been told, the legislation released so far doesn't match up with the announcements last week. The Migration agent my company uses has been invited with 19 other MA's tomorrow to a round table meeting with the head of the DIBP, where they are hoping to get clarification on some points. The problem at the moment is no-one knows how they are are going to treat existing 457's with regards to what's been announced.

From what I've seen and read, my only possible PR route may also be the ENS route as my skill is currently on the STSSOL. I'm hoping to get clarification on Friday, but probably next week.


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Well it looks like I'm heading home end of next year then. Work in a retail head office and my skill is only on the Short Term list. Can't get to PR in 2 year current rule as was made redundant in Nov and only started my new role in Jan. New list states my skill excludes positions based in a front-line retail setting.

Will have to let the dust settle and then speak to a migration agent - nothing changes right now unless my employer decides it's not worth the hassle as I'm still on my probationary period.......



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