Keep me in oz

Well folks things are looking positive for me! I became eligible under the old rules as of today ( 5 years in oz but only 1 as pr) and the online system is letting me apply! I've filled out everything and can hit submit! Only problem is I'm outside of Australia atm, dam! I will have to wait until I'm back in oz to sumbit otherwise it asks me for the country I want to take the test in, Australia isn't on the list of options! I hope that this is a really good sign! They haven't blocked us from applying which can only be good right!

I called Immigration on Monday and they confirmed that the calculator had been removed and that 'people are therefore experiencing difficulties applying online'. Nothing stopping us putting in a paper application in though not that i think it will make a difference with the processing but at least it will be submitted!

Indeed, I can't even bare to think about my parents getting old!!! Let's all keep our fingers crossed the legislation isn't as bad for us all as it seems to be right now!

Yea sorry if I sounded doom and gloom about it, my only intention when joining in the convo was to point out that citizenship is really important and that's why people may be desperate! Each persons circumstances are unique and I couldn't resist defending the want/need for being super keen to get it as soon as eligible! Plus RRV conditions could be changed as it's only a visa. The only way to stay unconditionally is citizenship!

It's not false, some of the conditions do expire which directly affect most people! Im sure most people wouldn't be happy with the fact they can stay here indefinitely as long as they don't leave and try to come back again. A lot of people will want/need to travel overseas which PR doesn't allow past those 5 years. Sorry if me using the word expire confused the situation.

errrrm yea pretty much. I'd still rather tell people that it expires so they know it has limitations and conditions which do expire rather than saying it doesn't expire just in case people don't know about those conditions! Better safe than sorry ?

The fact that the travel conditions expire is one and the same thing for me. I have to travel as part of my job and as my PR wont allow me to do so indefinitely it may as well expire! There comes a date where it is no longer the visa I need and I have to apply for another one which I have to meet the criteria for and that criteria can be changed at any time. Citizenship is the only thing (unless committing a serious offence) that has no conditions that expire. I am desperate for it, i need to be able to live a normal life.

I understand the rules just fine, thank you for your concern though! Enjoy your pension from both countries!

thanks for the employment advice! good luck with your job hunt and RRV application.

Most employers require proof of your visa and the grant has an expiry date on it anyways so there is no point trying to hide it from an employer really. you are correct it is only the travel aspect that expires, simples then people will just have to stay here forever and not take overseas holidays! great solution!

PR expires after 5 years, so it actually isnt that permanent. Then you have to apply for a resident return visa. the fear amongst people is the change to legislation. What happens if your PR expires and the law changes and you no longer meet the criteria!? Citizenship is the icing on the cake and it cannot be taken away where as visa regulations can change, overnight even!

i was just drafting something up, i have no idea what to say! Im all like... are you for or against the changes?!? want to lobby against them!?! lol

Are you eligible under new legislation in July or old?

Yea i agree with you, i doubt they would revoke it! The problem is that it is taking up to a year to process atm so the legislation is bound to have been passed by then!

oh im sooo sorry to hear that you had issues the day before! that is terrible!

Has anyone applied since the 20th of April? Is the system still allowing the application to go through?

Has anyone applied since the 20th of April? Is the system still allowing the application to go through?

sorry to hear that! Hopefully it all works out for us all in the end!

When are you eligible under current legislation?

If the system allows me to do so my intention is to apply! I figure I will go into a 'too hard basket' until the legislation is changed but then they will get back in touch about it all.

its all a bit odd, i hope they wouldnt be mean and decline it once the legislation goes through!

Have you recently applied? I am trying to work out whether to put my app in or not? I am eligible soon under the old rules but not the new!

It really sucks doesn't it! I will let you know in three weeks whether the system allowed me to apply!

I havent yet, im eligible (under the old rules) in three weeks! Should i apply still? if the system allows me to that is!

Thanks for all this legislation info guys! I am worried about applying and it being declined. I meet the old criteria but not the new. think they can decline it if the legislation is changed but i met the criteria at the time? I dont want a declined app against me!