pearplumpie

19 minutes ago, Chelsearoxanna said:

Do you know how long after you send an email do they respond? I sent one money. I am due a ceremony in three weeks but Darwin is in lockdown and I work in remote aboriginal communities. I said it isn’t safe for me to return to my appointment. I also need it for hecs but didn’t mention that. The community is far more important. 

I can't comment on how long it will be for you as I'm in Victoria. But when we did my son's application I told them we needed it urgently for HECS. He didn't need an interview or test as was 17 but remarkably got approved and had a virtual ceremony within 3 months of application. I would definitely let them know about HECS as that could possibly help. All the best.

11 minutes ago, VicApplicant said:

I just got invited this morning for July ceremony. delighted

Fantastic news - which council in Victoria?

Just an update on my timeline as I received my citizenship ceremony today much earlier than I anticipated.

Applied April 2020

Test March 2021

Ceremony Invitation received June 2021

Ceremony July 2021

I'm in Melbourne, Victoria - Bayside City Council.

My husband has the same timeline as me but his test was 2 days after mine and he doesn't have his ceremony invitation yet as we unlinked our applications. I'm amazed to get the invitation to the ceremony so soon as it's only 3 months since my test and I'm in Victoria which must have a huge backlog. I just got out of hotel quarantine today so it's a good day!

On 25/05/2021 at 13:17, VicApplicant said:

 

Who did u contact??

It was when Victoria were doing online ceremonies which aren't happening now I don't think. 

2 hours ago, cherrygn said:

Hi Everyone, just a quick update - received my citizenship ceremony invitation on 20/05/2021 MELBOURNE Kingston Council. Ceremony date mid June 2021.

My interview & test was done and approved on 20/04/2021 and 21/04/2021.

A lot faster than I expected.

Good luck to all of you, the day will come.

Congratulations! Can't believe this is for Melbourne as so quick. I was approved at end of March so hopefully will hear about ceremony soon. I'm currently in UK as my Father died so suspect on pause until I'm back. When did you apply?

1 hour ago, Randall said:

Not only will you need to inform them, you’ll need to ask for an exemption to leave the country. Also, your application will be on hold until you return to Australia. Don’t wait until the last minute to make these arrangements. If you know you’ll need to fly out, get that exemption now. 

Thanks for the reply - I know about the exemption. I am having to wait for the death certificate to apply, so will do this once I have it. How do I inform then I'm leaving the country? 

Advice please. I am having to look at getting back to the UK imminently for my Dad's funeral. I have been approved and am now waiting on my citizenship ceremony appointment. Do I need to inform DHHS that I will be out of the country or will they know automatically? Thanks

8 hours ago, Komalami said:

Hi everyone, 

Anyone from Melbourne, north area. My husband applied for his citizenship in Feb 2021, and it's showing received in the Immi account. No updates as yet. I want to know how long it's take in Melbourne to get the test date.

I'm in Melbourne although not north area. Quite a few Melbourne applicants have been getting their invite to test/interview around 11 months after application. I applied April 2020 and got invite in March 2021 for May 2021 but rescheduled it for March 2021. 

31 minutes ago, IMA said:

Hi all, 

We are hoping to apply online next week. I have few quires and just wondering if anyone could help me with these.

1. Do we have to submit 2 different applications for me and my partner?
2. Do we have to have separate immi accounts to do so or can we do that in one immi account?
3. If we have to submit 2 separate applications, do we have to include our child in both applications or only in one?

Much appreciated if you guys could help me with this.

Cheers!

Hivthere. 

1. Yes 2 different applications 

2. Can do it from same immi account 

3. I think child is included on one application, but check as I didn't have a child under 16 so no experience 

Good luck 

2 minutes ago, cams326 said:

Hi everyone,

Anyone experienced changing address while the citizenship visa was lodged? Would you know if the council for the citizenship ceremony will automatically be changed in reference to the new address or will it be the same council as the old address?

Thanks!

We moved after lodging our application but before we went for interview. I updated our address on the immi account for both the applications and the officer who did my interview confirmed that the ceremony would take place at the new council where we had moved to. Hope that helps. Worth asking when you have your interview to make sure.

1 hour ago, Melbournian said:

Do you believe someone in Victoria/Melbourne got a virtual ceremony ?

Anyone in your circle got Virtual ceremony in Vic ?

I asked a couple,of weeks ago at my interview and currently there are no virtual ceremonies in Victoria anymore. 

24 minutes ago, Canada2Australia said:

I tried rescheduling; there is nothing available between today and the obligatory date. So the 26th of May it is.

Keep checking as things do change a lot u found

1 minute ago, Canada2Australia said:

Ah okay. Not sure if I want to rock the boat and ask for a change of date if I don't have a valid reason to do so. They may not be impressed. 

It's an automated rescheduling process done online - I actually changed mine 4 times as earlier appointments kept opening up. Totally up to you, but it won't affect your application should you try. Good luck with the test!

4 minutes ago, Canada2Australia said:

I received an unexpected yet pleasant surprise this morning; an email with an appointment date for my citizenship test................26th of May.

Twenty months after the application was submitted, it's finally happening. The status of the application still indicates 'received' on my ImmiAccount, interestingly enough.

Great news! I managed to bring my test/interview forward considerably (rescheduled it for 3 days after I got the letter/email rather than waiting until mid-May). You may be able to do the same if you want to - just scroll down the letter and click in the reschedule link. 

My application stayed as 'received' and then changed to 'approved' shortly after I had passed the test and had my interview. Think that is normal.

12 minutes ago, Limit8 said:

Brisbane now hasn't had a ceremony for close to 3 months what a shame! to add insult to injury QLD is the only state that doesn't even offer virtual ceremonies. These timelines are just unacceptable! 

 

I don't think Vic are offering virtual ceremonies. And the wait for even getting an interview/test here in Vic is significantly longer than any other state. It will happen, we just need to be patient. 

Quick question. My husband had his interview and test today - passed with 100% and the immi account already says 'approved'. However, he has just received another email for another test and interview - and this showing up in his appointments tab in Immi. Has this happened to anyone else before? Thoughts?

Thanks.

1 hour ago, Canada2Australia said:

I see it as being more dependant on the individual assessor one gets at the time of testing. They are all individual people who all have differing personalities and some seem to follow their own directives more stringently than others. 

It's the luck of the draw, basically.

Maybe, but the lady after me who was having to show everything was seeing the same assessor/case worker as I saw.....

9 hours ago, Melb2016 said:

Hi Pearplumpie, 

Yes it was great to see the application progress. Not worried about the test. As regards the interview- did they expect all documents that you have lodged with the application and is the interview just to confirm identity?  
 

Also wondering when we may be able to visit the UK. Although your situation does sound very difficult. Hope things are ok with your father. 

They only asked to see my Vic driving licence. I was a bit concerned as I changed my surname at 16 unofficially but used it on my passport and marriage certificate, but the case worker wasn't bothered by that. The lady after me was having to show everything though, so it really does depend on individual situations.

1 hour ago, Melb2016 said:

Ok, some movement. Applied in April 2020 and received an invitation for test and interview for early April 2021. Applied from Melbourne. 

It's such a relief isn't it. I just had my interview and test today - also applied in April 2020  in Melbourne.

Just had my interview/test and my application is now approved today 29/3/21. My Dad is receiving palliative care but they won't expedite my application to enable me to get my Australian passport to fly to see him in UK.

Anyone else in Victoria got a timeline for the wait for ceremonies once you get approval?

Thanks in advance.

47 minutes ago, vickyplum said:

If you applied using the copy birth cert from the UK, that's the one you need take. I did the same and it was fine.  For bank notice, there's a function in my online banking called 'proof of account' or something like that, and it produces a letter confirming  name, address and bank account details.  Assume a statement would be OK as well.

I was only asked for my NSW licence and passport, but I'd taken everything with me, as that's what the invite letter said to do, and I am very compliant like that  

Thanks so much. Great username btw 

Quick question - have just received my invitation to the interview and test and managed to reschedule for Monday 29 March. It says certified copies of documents are not acceptable, but I only have the certified copy of my birth certificate from the UK. It is a copy sent by the Register of Births etc so I am presuming it will be ok as it is not a photocopy that has been certified by an official, but rather still an official document. As for a bank notice to take - is it ok to just print out a bank statement and take that? We have recently moved so don't have any utilities yet.

Thank in advance for your wisdom!

And for those wondering - applied mid-April 2020, invitation received 25/3/21 for interview on 14/5/21 but have rescheduled it for Monday 29 March. In Melbourne, VIC

42 minutes ago, VIC3939 said:

I am a silent reader. I had my interview and test on 25th March 2021 at DHA Melbourne CBD in the morning passed the test 100%. My wife took the test same day in the afternoon. After her test both of our applications were approved immediately.

Congratulations! Just the ceremony to go now. I have just received my invitation for the test for mid-May but managed to reschedule for Monday. Also Melbourne, and applied mid-April 2020.

2 minutes ago, littlefoot said:

Citizenship Approved: 14th January 
Ceremony invite received: 17th March
Ceremony date: 6th April

City of Port Philip council, Melbourne. 

Congratulations! When did you apply?

5 minutes ago, Olivia_1993 said:

They can expedite the ceremony in some cases but not test.

have you done your test? 

No not got invite yet but expecting it soon based on others' experience