wombatinabox

2 hours ago, george8181 said:

Language test to blame for fewer migrants taking citizenship pledge, MP says

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-27/fewer-migrants-taking-citizenship-pledge/9365782

 

I wonder why? Maybe because everyone has been forced to wait exceptionally long waiting times. It’s not for the lack of people wanting citizenship!

 

Article seems misleading, attendance is down because of the backlog and lack of approvals nothing to do with the English test. 

1 hour ago, donnapow said:

Applied online 8th March 2017

did test 4th July 2017

approved online 20/01/18

That is very good, under 1 year which is better than most, truly congrats all the best with your ceremony!

3 hours ago, donnapow said:

Finally my immi Account says Approved!

Congrats Donna what is your time line?

On 06/10/2015 at 17:59, sandisaini786 said:

Hello

I gave the test on 05/09 and passed 100% because test was so so easy but representative said every thing is straightforward nothing wrong that I can see in ur application. they will do the police check?i m just wondering how long does it takes to check the records/background?

how I can see the status (immi account does not help) and waiting time in high risk counties ?

cheers

Hi Sandisaini, I am in same situation I did the test passed 100% and just like you the case officer said everything is clear and straightforward with me and told me I should get approval soon but Nothing so far

15 minutes ago, jcg said:

Today I've done the test and my application status changed from Received to Approved in the afternoon.

Council: North Ryde, NSW
Office: Sydney
Applied Online: 12/05/ 2017
Acknowledgement: 12/06/2017
Mail test received date: 14/11/2017
Test date: 28/11/2017 (100%)
Online status to Approved 28/11/2017

Congrats jcg! That’s amazing, same day approval is what used to be the normal procedure before mid-2016. With current approval rate I would consider you very lucky you should be proud! All the best and hopefully everyone else gets a speedy approval 

1 minute ago, bensym said:

Applied 27/4/17 online in Sydney. Still no news.

My permanent residency visa has since expired. Does anyone know if there is a way around leaving country to go on holiday, without having to renew my PR visa?

 

No there is no other way just apply for RRV, mine took exactly 1 day to process 

2 hours ago, Goan said:

Hi,

I have recently moved overseas on a work assignment for couple of years under the same company. Does anyone into similar situation and if this will impact the decision on my citizenship application which was applied onshore on 9th May 2017?

Thanks

 

Hi Mate, as far as I know you need to be onshore to do the test, approval, ceremony etc. This is why most people hold off from traveling or relocating until they get their citizenship. However I would advise you speak to Dibp and ask them how you can do it while offshore Or maybe an immigration lawyer for more accurate assessment. 

2 minutes ago, RMG said:

Hi, My husband has been invited for an interview and standard test. Is the interview part an actual interview or is it just an appointment to verify the original documents?The letter seems to be a standard letter.

Also we have tried to open the 4 practice tests on the department website but cannot access them on any computer tried applemac, ipads and windows. We are technophobes so any assistance would be welcome. 

Thanks in advance.

 

Congarts rmg, for the test materials just order the DVD from he border website they deliver within a week. The test works fine try internet explorer ? 

Can you also please share your application date for the community here, thanks

On another forum, a sept 9 applicant got his test today, yet some April 20 apps are yet to get a test! This is the most bizarre allocation system I’ve ever seen can’t get my head around how they are prioritzing and processing applications at this stage.

3 minutes ago, DeeTowers said:

Another question all - sorry if its been asked before:

Page 17 of the online citizenship form - i have lived in AU since July 2011, previous to that was the UK. Do I have to list all my holidays I had in the UK or is the first part of this question if you were living in AU since the age of 18????

Thanks in advance!

Dee

Countries resided / visited

Since the age of 18, has the applicant lived or travelled outside of Australia?

 

Since the age of 18, has the applicant lived or travelled outside of Australia?YesNo

 

Give details of all countries that the applicant has lived in or travelled to since turning the age of 18, include:

• Work or study outside of Australia
   
• Holiday or leisure, including visits to the applicants country of origin
   
• Business
   
• Military deployment

Basically list all countries you visited and lived in that are not Australia, since age of 18. So also include the time you lived in UK. Doesn’t have to be 100% but as many as you can remember. 

similar question also appears in PR app

On 05/11/2017 at 09:41, Spinny_Drift said:

20 April - Brisbane

Congarts Spinny!

On 03/11/2017 at 00:11, peterson said:

The apps are still frozen, other than a few random ones vast majority 99% still frozen. Those 19 April and before got their test dates ages ago so no other explanation for April20 apps not being processed yet.

people have to start demanding answers, maybe we should start sending emails like we did with the bill? Plz suggest everyone 

Hi Mate, actually I already contacted some of the senators ive been in touch with before, they all told me including Tony Burke’s assistant that it is completely out of their hand, at least at this stage unless overwhelming evidence comes out months from now that a large amount of apps are still unprocessed. Even then they can only criticise and issue public recommendation but can’t force the gov, only something like a lawsuit can potentially make a difference. 

Currently here are some options available: 

1. Follow up your app with DIBP if you don’t hear back a month or two from now, while it’s unlikely to affect or change anything at the very least if so many are calling about their apps not being picked up, DIBP will discuss these matters internally and might improve their processes if their management is listening. 

2. Lodge an official complaint by Contacting DIBP complaints department available on their website, however this can only be triggered only if you get close to or exceed the official wait time (currently 14 months from lodgement) 

3. If complaint doesn’t work, you can then raise it to the Commonwealth ombudsman. Again this requires your app to exceed the 14 month wait. 

Until then, unfortunately there is nothing than can be done to speed things up or get a proper explanation out of DIBP. You can only wait till your turn comes, hopefully soon so everyone can finally get some relief.

cheers 

3 hours ago, DeeTowers said:

I am just submitting mine and my husbands citizen applications but had a couple of Q’s:

1. I have an immi account - do I submit both applications seperately via my account?

2. Can you lodge a joint application?

I started my application but could not see how to add another application?

sorry if these are basic questions! 

Thanks

Yes you can submit both applications under one single Immi account 

No there is no joint application for citizenship, each application needs to be lodged separately and paid for separately 

8 minutes ago, 08SEP said:

Hi guys,

Just  a quick update.

I've received my test date email today and I applied on the 20th of April  

Congrats Mate, more evidence they are starting to Pick up the apps

Just saw this timeline posted this morning on another forum, another soon-to-be citizen who lives in VIC Moreland council got a test date.

There is definitely some action going on for post April 20 apps:

21/04/2017 – submitted paper application
24/04/2017 – date application was received (in melb cbd)
25/10/2017 – invitation email to take citizenship test
27/10/2017 – citizenship test appointment (rescheduled from 9/11)
Approval – ???
Invitation for ceremony – ???
Ceremony – ???

Local council: Moreland

4 hours ago, Ali369829 said:

Great news...is he from NSW?

Hi Mate, he lives in WA

Great news, can confirm my mate who applied on 23rd April has now received a test date in early November. 

This now confirms applications post April 20 are finally being picked up. 

Those of you applied close to April 20 should expect to hear from Immi about your test very very soon.

6 minutes ago, Zet01 said:

Hi @AnneOz so did you still indicate your minor offence in the citizenship application? My husband had one minor parking offence with Parks Victoria, we did not appeal and paid the fine. I wonder whether we should have declared it.

Only if it went to court. Millions of people get fines every year it’s not a big deal you don’t have to include it if it didn’t go to court.

Based on my calculation of various timelines from different forums, if DIBP is now actively processing applications after the bill was rejected, the first applications from April 20 should start processing towards the end of this week or next week. 

If not, then there is definitely some kind of internal pause still going on. 

3 hours ago, captain_hoomi said:

Hey guys,

I lodged my application in August and now waiting to be processed which probably will take months! Now can I travel overseas during this long waiting time? I remember there was a question in the form that if I plan to travel overseas in the next 12 months and I answered no, but now plans have changed and I have to travel for some family stuff. Will it cause issues to my application?  Appreciate your help with this!

 

Hi mate, it’s fine you can travel just make sure to call DIBP and inform them of your travel plan and approx time overseas they will log it in the system.

just keep in mind as long as you are overseas you will not get a test date. Which is why most people limit their travels while waiting for citizenship. 

8 hours ago, captainhoomi said:

Do you know if DIBP call them to ask questions about applicants?

In the vast majority of cases they do not call. However while I was getting mine done, I did read cases online where they did call. It’s a rare occurrence but you need to assume that they will call to verify.

6 hours ago, rammygirl said:

Yes my son got his.  Hopefully as he applied on the 20th he will be close to the top of the pile!

I applied in June, I got the same email. It appears everyone got it. 

Hi Folks, looks like we are going to be waiting a loooong time for our citizenship.

DIBP confirms backlog is at 120K!! What a mess:

http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/punjabi/en/article/2017/10/20/citizenship-application-backlog-mounts-120000

2 hours ago, crunchy said:

Hi Guys ,

I need some help with Form 1195  (Identity Declaration)

The person who makes the identity declaration should be an Australian citizens and can only be from an occupation or profession specified in the form + it is mandatory for him that he has known tge person for one year.

 

Now I don't know anyone who knows me for one year and is from one of these profession .

What can ve dobe in this situation. I hope most of you guys would have gone through this. Is there any chance of getting any Australian citizen to sign it ? Please share your experience in this regards .

 

Your help would be much appreciated.

Regards .

Not even a GP? Check professions of your friends and colleagues at work see if they are in the list. Worse case scenario get a justice of peace to sign it for you that's what most ppl in your situation do, however not all agree to do it.

1 minute ago, Eddie937 said:

Thanks for the quick reply Sheila.

I applied on the 25th April. I hope they start going through the frozen applications soon. 

Thanks

Eddie

Keep us updated, since you're one of the first after the freeze. 

Thanks mate