seeker

10 hours ago, Spinny_Drift said:

I'm pretty sure it doesn't work on a first come basis nationally ....Sept does seem odd though!

Yes.. From the trend what I could understand is, DIBP in Melbourne and Brisbane started processing applications. people who applied in Sydney and other locations have not received any test dates yet. Citi you applied, DIBP office(sydney has 2 offices CBD and Paramatta), case officers allocated to group of applications will decide the application progress. People who got the dates early are lucky. 

3 hours ago, Scarlet said:

Hi All,

I need some help and advice. I was trying to fill up online citizenship application form. But got stuck at page 6 and this error pops up "The applicant is unable to proceed with this application. Access the Residence calculator to check when the applicant will have been in Australia long enough to be eligible for Australian citizenship".

But i haven't mentioned any entry date or visa granted date anywhere in previous pages( as there is no such questions there). How come this error shows up?

I'm in Australia since 2013 in PR visa.  1 week to go to complete 4 years :-). I checked residency calculator and found Requirements Met: YES (if i lodge my application next week) So I wanted to start the process by this week, filling the form, scanning and organizing all documents, etc.

Could anyone have any idea about this. Can't i start filling the form now? Really don't understand what's going wrong.

Appreciate any kind of advice.

It should be 4 years after you landed in Australia, on which date/month you come to australia in 2013?, if it is before 26th/Oct/2013, you should be eligible today. 

16 minutes ago, Chava said:

Hey Guys,

I just created a google doc to share everyone citizenship application details in one place.

Here is the link for that and you can input any update of your application.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VS-VqCOlolW_sQ1kjPUnyPFURBPwrnCaMyui1o2TUtI/edit?usp=sharing

 

Hope it helps for everyone.

 

 

Hi Mate,

Below one is exists for long time and in use by most of the people from last 2 years

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JYRvi6XH4LKUvdCW5vmCG44U7VG469oZNQeKgceVDO4/edit?ts=589cfc5c#gid=0

1 hour ago, captain_hoomi said:

The website still insists on the new rules!!

http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Citi/am-i-eligible

 

16 hours ago, coker said:

It may take a few days to update the DIBP site, but it is been removed from the page we used to see when you login to your immi account. 
Now DIBP will be flooded with applications,

people  living here for years on PR and did not take citizenship for various reasons may apply now, this number could we be high I believe..
people completed one year on PR and completed 4 years recently will apply

people completed 4 years recently on PR will apply.

coming 2-3 months.. real tough time for DIBP..

10 minutes ago, jodipodi said:

Ok im still not sure I understand.We have been here in australia residing on a PR since May this year. 

When will we be eligible to apply for citizenship?....

 

You have to be in Australia for 4 years before apply for Citizenship.. when will you complete 4 years?

If you moved to australia this may, you need to wait till May 2021 to be eligible for Citizenship.

14 minutes ago, jodipodi said:

One year!!! Omg.

Weve been here since May 1st.

I thought old bill was 2 years wonder where i got that from?...

Thats amazing hope it stays that way until at least May next year...!!

Hi,

You should be in Australia for 4 years minimum and last one year should be on PR to be eligible for Citizenship as per the old rules.

1 minute ago, jodipodi said:

What does this mean for PR holders? What are the citizenship requirements in terms of how long do you have to reside in Australia now to apply for citizenship please?

For now old rules will be applied, one year PR before apply for citizenship, if you are eligible, apply now. 
Government may come up with new bill later point, but for now bill is lost, people should be able to apply for citizenship as per old rules.

20 minutes ago, Lou8670 said:

I'm frustrated because we became eligible to apply on Friday. If this bill is thrown out then they'll be another flood of applications. I'm trying to get mine in today and can't get past page 6 on the online application as it's saying I'm not
Eligible but they haven't asked me any info about our permanent residency yet! I'm 120th in the queue on the phone grrr!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Take a screenshots of the errors and save them for reference.. it could be system error, I applied last month without any issues. 

15 hours ago, rammygirl said:

Well they could well put all the existing applications in one pile and assign a team to do the backlog, then new applications would be sent to another team who would start processing to the standard timescales.

 

This happened to us when a hold was put on visa applications, once they started processing again to meet the standards new applications went to a different team and the backlog was processed separately.  This meant people applying well after us actually got grants before we did.

 

not saying this will happen but I have decided to wait to apply.  We meet the new rules in Jan 2018 anyway.  Son finalised his application on the 20th, before any info was on the site at all.  So it is in the old pile, hopefully near the top!  We only met the old rules in June as we had been out of Australia for longer in total than he had.

 

As there was no warning on the site, nothing appeared till later in the day, when he applied I will expect a refund if they reject the application as not meeting the new rules.  He has had no communication at all since applying.  I do not find that acceptable at all.

 

 

Same case may not be applied for Citizenship as each applicant has to go through Citizenship exam in first phase, which should be allocated in order based on your location and then ceremony dates needs to be given based on councils. so I think Department has to process the applications in order. They may speed up the process to clear the backlog. I know many people yet to apply and are waiting for bill status. once bills is officially doomed, DIBP will receive massive number of applications to process again.

Not sure below inf useful or not.
People who become citizens recently got E-mails from DIBP like below...

dear...
you might aware that government recently announced changes to Australia citizenship process etc etc...

like 4 years PR. and other major rules mentioned 
We want conduct new sample citizenship tests survey will be held at  .... location, will be held in last week of October and first week of November... if you are interested to participate, let us know....we will reimburses your expenses. 

Thank you....

First of all bill it self is in dilemma and now DIBP is wasting the people money again on Surveys and sample tests. Cannot they wait for another one week to see weather bill can be passed or not?

14 hours ago, Ric said:

I've been a permanent resident for 14 months. Is it worth applying under the old rules, pending the outcome re: retroactive clause mid October?

Previously I've had migration consultants lodge applications - is this one that is straightforward to do online? Appreciate any advice. Thanks

Hi Ric,

Lodging the online application is straightforward.. nothing confusing and easy to fill. It is definitely worth to lodge the application now..
Dutton canot pass the bill in current form.. In worst scenario he has to agree to process already lodged ones and convince Nick team.. you are safe in this situation
if the bill is lost, you will be in queue already which is also good. 
if you have chance to apply now.. Apply now.. 350 application fee is nothing compared to the waiting times...
 

11 hours ago, CowlingAFC said:

Hi. 

 

Aplogies if im hijacking anyone's post. 

My 4 years as a PR will be completed in early January 2018. Once I submit my forms to start process for citizenship and complete the first test, is it possible to return to the U.K. Until a date is set for ceremony. 

 

Thankyou all 

Hi,

It is difficult to Answer, I did check with help desk the update I got is, we should inform them about our travel plans, so that they can put a hold on application till you come back and they said don't take longer vacation. After the case is approved( which mean you take the test and got confirmation that you citizenship application is approved) ,you are allowed to travel without any restrictions. but travelling before case is approved is not recommended. 

6 hours ago, David_Brown said:

Regarding the 'Retrospective aspect', 

Does that effect everybody who was already a permanent resident on or before 20th April 2017?

Or only those who have been PR for at least a year already, and have been eligible to apply (on current rules) for citizenship since 20th April 2017?

I fit into the first category, as I will have only been PR for just over 11 months when this is likely to pass next month. I was due to apply in November.

Retrospective aspect:

In government words: After the bill is passed, people should have 4 years on PR before they lodge citizenship application, this is applicable to the people who lodged the citizenship on or after April 20th. Bill is not passed yet and government can't stop the people to apply for citizenship as per old rules now. so they are using retrospective clause to apply the new rules from the date they announced the changes, which is April 20th. 

We will get the bill outcome  in Oct, you would get the full info then. 

7 minutes ago, avatar said:

Thanks for that seeker, 

Iam ready to apply by the old rules, but Iam not sure what will happen  after two weeks with the proposal changes. Any good advice?

I would strongly recommend to apply now, Nick team holds the key to pass the bill, and they already confirmed that people who already hold the PR before April 20 should be processed as per the old rules to get their support to pass the bill. in worst case, government may accept to the process the applications who already lodged and convince Nick team. 

22 hours ago, avatar said:

It's so quiet, any news guys?

Nothing much happening at this point, NXT and liberals are not making statements on their stand, so nothing much we can expect till Oct 17th/18th. from the other posts looks DIBP has slowed down the Application processing, earlier majority of people used to get approvals less than 2 weeks after taking the citizenship test, but now they are takng more than 2-3 months to give approval, looks looks around 350 people are moved out from Immigration dept to some other resulting in application processing. So weather bill is rejected or approved, government has to speed up the pending applicaitons, otherwise people has to wait for at least an year to citizenship and lost of travel restrictions...

9 hours ago, crunchy said:

Malcolm Turnbull reconsidering the waiting time and english test .

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/09/21/20/08/govt-looking-into-citizenship-waiting-time

 

No need to consider those words.. Looks like he said those words without any stand or clarity just to answer the question raised by citizen.

36 minutes ago, Vic154 said:

I agree that the whole 4 yr PR rule is harsh. I've been here 5 years on a 457, I should have PR by next year which will mean 10yrs before citizenship.

Now someone who arrives today straight on a PR visa will end up getting their citizenship before me! Despite me living and working here for 5 more years!

What is the difference between how I have lived my life during the last 5 yrs vs how I would have lived had I been on a PR visa? None! I would still have done the same job, paid the same taxes, joined the same clubs, lived the same Australian values, etc etc

That is why that rule is unfair in my opinion. I live my life the same way and contribute just as much as someone on PR.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Govenment have plans to make the changes to PR process also. like wants to issue TR for 1-2 years and the automatically convert to full PR, so that people coming on PR also should have to wait for 6-7 years to be eligible for Citizenship, if new law passes.. one way the other government wants to increase the waiting period to be eligible for citizenship..

30 minutes ago, Ali369829 said:

From 20th April to 30th July around 26000 application.

rest all before 20 th April (under process)

news said 60,70 or 80,000 application total but around 26,000 on hold by Potato dutton on or after 20th April.

u can check scrutiny or recent senate report.

 

i am just checking the report, below is the snippet.. by 31st July 59940, and till  65000 till last week( I red somwhere)..  people who are yet to lodge.. better you lodge the applications.. government is in soup now, impacted migrants and their families should not vote for liberals anymore because of the dodgy  approach taken by liberals..

3.10 The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (the Department) confirmed that since 20 April 2017 to 31 July 2017, it had received 50,940 applications. These applications are currently not being processed but applications received before 20 April 2017 are continuing to be processed

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JYRvi6XH4LKUvdCW5vmCG44U7VG469oZNQeKgceVDO4/edit?ts=589cfc5c#gid=0

some active members who lodged citizenship applications are updating status in the above sheet. looks like all the people who lodged before April 20th got the dates for exam, most of them got approvals , though approvals delayed than usual time. Number of people attended citizenship ceremonies this month is reduced by 2/3 in some councils, this clearly tells that DIBP people are doesn't have any work to do by end of this month.this may also put the pressure on government to take decision quickly. if the bill doesn't pass and DIBP has to process the applications for old rules and more than 65000 people lodged the applications from April 20th( figures told by DIBP), so expect massive delays in processing...

19 minutes ago, Roberta2 said:

When did Dutton say that?

 

He said yesterday, moreover he said, he is taking to NXT reg the bill, so we can expect some level of negotiations between government and Nick team by Oct 17th and government will try to pass the bill by 18th Oct. 

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/19/peter-dutton-admits-he-will-need-to-rethink-english-test-in-citizenship-overhaul

Looks like Dutton is ready to negotiate with NXT... Most probably bill may pass with less English scores(4-5 range) , retrospective changes and no powers to minister to overturn AAT decisions incase applicant found in some sort of critical offences like terrorits activities, rapes etc..people whoever is waiting to lodge to applications, better you submit the applications..

Hi,

Could someone tell us what could be next steps in senate. I believe liberals has to go for voting now or aggree for amendments recommended by crossbench, make the changes to the bill and then go for voting. How long the overall process could take?. even after it become law, who long DIBP could take to resume the applications processing? since already more than 50000 applications are lodged from april 20 and waiting in queue, it looks like waiting periods will be anywhere between 1-2 years.. Thanks dutton... we got a strong reason for not to vote  to liberals after we get citizenship...

On 8/15/2017 at 17:34, Roberta2 said:

17 hours ago, dredg97 said:

This is definitely huge, but as the Romans used to say ('don't say cat until you have it in the bag'), it's better not getting too excited until the Bill is rejected officially in the Senate.

It's just a matter of hours until the Senate Committee will issue its reports, after receiving over 10,000 submissions against the Bill VS just 2 (yes, only two) in favour. This could be another big hit to the new proposed legislation.

 

Agree, senate committee report is out, recommendations are in same line with Labor, Greens and NXT teams. Now government has to dump the bill or compromise with cross bench and make changes to the bill. Thanks each and everyone who been part of this fight with potato face, it is not over yet, but our concerns are considered.

 

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Legal_and_Constitutional_Affairs/CitizenshipBill2017/Report/b01

 

On 7/26/2017 at 17:41, wombatinabox said:

 

44 minutes ago, 08SEP said:

Hi Guys, 

Can someone please update me on what's happening in regards to the new citzenship requirements. Are these actually in place and definite? or is there still a chance that this may not pass? 

Thanks!

Review committee will give the report on 4th Sep, it is up to the government to bring the bill  for debate in coming parliament session or not. Since dual citizenship crisis shaking the government and it has to dependent on cross bench to pass the bill, it is very difficult to predict what is going to heppen. some groups are predicting bill my come for debate in Oct/Nov sessions.. We may get more info by mid of Sep.

Has the Senate committee review report come out? Below link has info reg that  

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/08/17/senate-committee-recommends-abandoning-turnbull-governments-citizenship-changes