pearplumpie

Looking for some advice please. Applied in Melbourne in April 2020, so hoping I might not be too far away to hear back. Unfortunately my Father in the UK is now receiving palliative care and I'm having to look at getting back to see him and support my Mum. I would need to update my right to return visa to do this which is so frustrating as over $400 dollars now whereas I could be so close to getting an Aussie passport instead.

Basically, is there anyway of contact someone to see if my citizenship application can be expedited? Anyone got a phone number? Thanks in advance.

2 minutes ago, Volkang said:

As much as I feel sorry for you for waiting this long, it feels better seeing that I am not alone 🥲 thank you for the reply.

No problem. I did my son's application at the same time (separate to mine as 17) and because he is under 18 he got approved and had ceremony (didn't need test or interview) within about 3 months of the application. So things are happening here, just more slowly than elsewhere. I did read on here that someone who applied in December 2019 or January 2020 just recently got a test/interview so maybe in the next few months it will be our turn. Here's hoping.

2 minutes ago, Volkang said:

Hey guys is there anyone else waiting as long as me or should I start freaking out

eligible: feb 2020

applied: april 2020

tesd date: still waiting

council: melbourne

Thank u in advance 

I also applied in April 2020 in Melbourne. Seems Vic are taking longer than other states. I'm not expecting to hear for a while longer. Maybe May 2021?

7 minutes ago, littlefoot said:

Went for the test on 21st December in Melbourne, and citizenship was approved today!

Now waiting on ceremony details. 

Fanstastic news - congratulations! When did you apply? 

We applied back in April 2020 in Melbourne. Not expecting to hear too soon, but be good to know what your timeline is.

22 minutes ago, Melb2016 said:

Thanks for the response. So some applications are being assessed. Did your son apply on a separate application then? We have our 2 year old on mine. Clearly she won’t be doing any test or interview either. 

yes children aged 16 and above have their own application which is why he has already been approved separately to us. 16 and 17 year olds do not have to do the test or interview which is what makes it speedy. Thrilled for my son as it now means he has access to the loans for university. Our applications were linked bu was soon as he was approved I unlinked them so that he could proceed to a citizenship ceremony (online) on his own to get it finalised.

3 minutes ago, Melb2016 said:

Hi all,

Applied from Melbourne in April 2020. Still no news, status is received. Anyone in VIC got through over the last few months?

Thanks. 

I also applied in April 2020 in Melbourne. 17 year old son approved and citizen in 2 months as didn't need to do test or interview. Great for him with uni coming up. Husband and I are still waiting.

Yes - it's much quicker for under 18s as no test or interview required. My son was approved in 4 weeks, and had ceremony about 8 weeks later after I unlinked his account to have citizenship ceremony with me and his Dad (our applications are not going anywhere at present!). It means he is eligible for HELP loans for university next year - so good. If your daughter needs her ceremony quickly then you can ask for it be expedited. Great news!

On 19/05/2020 at 17:31, pearplumpie said:

I'm in shock. Applied on 19 April 2020 for me, husband and 17 year old son. Checked last night and son's application had already been approved - in a month! It's great as he is due to go to uni next year, so if he gets citizenship in time he will have access to loans for tuition.

Had to spend time today trying to make it known that he doesn't have to wait for his parents' applications to be approved to go to a ceremony as that could mean quite a delay. Hoping he can get his soon. 

Does anybody know if interviews and tests are happening at all?

Timeline....

Arrived 03/16  from UK (457)

PR approved 08/16

Applied Citizenship  19/04/2020

Invitation                   

Test Date                 

Approval                   for 17 year old son 18/05/2020, parents still waiting on invitation etc.

Ceremony                 

Melbourne - City

Update on our applications as above. No news for hubby and me (we are in Melbourne so no interviews or tests happening yet) and could be waiting a while looking at current processing times. However, having successfully unlinked our 17 year old son's application and asked for an online ceremony (he doesn't need the interview or test) he now has his online citizenship ceremony confirmed for next Tuesday 25 August. So pleased as it will make a huge difference for him going to university next year. 

16 minutes ago, jennyinoz said:

Hey Guys,

I've just hit send my my citizenship application... but then I read this thread and someone has mentioned I should have scanned both sides of my driving licence. I didn't. Does anyone know if this is a problem or will they look past it?

Many thanks

Can you not rescan and add it after submitting? When I go to my application it looks as if there is the option to attach documents.

18 minutes ago, Jlucy said:

I went through the home affairs immi website - the help and support section. It's a busy number so had to wait a while to get through. 

Done - I actually phoned them before to try and do this and didn't get very far, but the guy I just spoke to was brilliant. Did you then also apply for an early ceremony or did it just happen? Thanks so much for your help.

1 minute ago, Jlucy said:

Hi pearplumpie, actually we had requested to have our ceremonies together. I didn't know when we applied that she could get approved so quickly without an interview or test. As she is going to uni next year we want her to be eligible for a student loan. I rang them up to explain this and they un-linked her application from mine and my husbands. We are in Perth, Western Australia

I was the same not realising my son wouldn't need an interview or test - we applied in mid-April and he was approved in 30 days. Like you we want him to have access to the student loans before he goes to uni next year. Do you know what number you called? Thanks

10 minutes ago, Jlucy said:

Applied Citizenship  11/02/2020 x 3 (myself and dependent children, husband, daughter 16 yrs old at time of application )

Current citizenship    British

Invitation                    Awaiting

Test Date                    Awaiting

Approval                    Awaiting     (daughter approved 27/04/20)

Ceremony                  Awaiting    (daughters ceremony scheduled for 05/08/20)

Hi Jlucy - can I ask, did you say on your applications that you wanted to have your citizenship ceremonies together?  I did, my 17 year old son approved and we want him to have his ceremony asap so that he is a citizen for university. Can you also tell me whereabouts in Australia you are? We are Melbourne and no idea if they are any faster! great if you can let me know. Thanks

I called up when I got to this one - did our applications online. They said to just do for the last 10 years (which apparently is what the paper application asks for). Maybe give them a call and clarify like I did? 

Thanks

I've read on Immi that you need to be in Australia for when your citizenship is approved. What about if you have a holiday abroad booked? I know not likely but if the process takes a long time I don't want to mess it up with a holiday. Thanks in advance.

I'm in shock. Applied on 19 April 2020 for me, husband and 17 year old son. Checked last night and son's application had already been approved - in a month! It's great as he is due to go to uni next year, so if he gets citizenship in time he will have access to loans for tuition.

Had to spend time today trying to make it known that he doesn't have to wait for his parents' applications to be approved to go to a ceremony as that could mean quite a delay. Hoping he can get his soon. 

Does anybody know if interviews and tests are happening at all?

Timeline....

Arrived 03/16  from UK (457)

PR approved 08/16

Applied Citizenship  19/04/2020

Invitation                   

Test Date                 

Approval                   for 17 year old son 18/05/2020, parents still waiting on invitation etc.

Ceremony                 

Melbourne - City