edsullivan Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Hi everybody, I'm planning my application for citizenship by descent. I was born and raised in England, living there now, my father is Australian. The problem is I'm not sure if I will pass the good character check. I was arrested and convicted of criminal damage while living in Hungary. I took a beating from the police, held my hands up and paid the fine. It was a drunken incident which started with me being assaulted by a stranger, i fought back, the guy ran away and i decided to take vengeance on his bicycle. Turns out the bike wasn't his, he was just trying to steal it as he fled. I felt really bad for the guy who's bike I smashed and apologized to him when I paid the fine. It was stupid but it happened and I wish it hadn't. I also have a spent conviction for shoplifting when i was 15 (I'm 23 now). This all sounds pretty bad now that I've written it down, but I'm not a mean person and I'm not a threat to anybody. What do you guys think? Will this stop me from getting my citizenship? Right now moving to Oz is my only ambition for the future and I'm just hoping this stupid incident won't come back to haunt me. Any responses will be greatly appreciated, thanks guys and girls x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Assuming your father was a citizen and not a citizen by descent himself, then surely you already are a citizen by descent and are merely looking to prove it, you are not "applying" for it. Well that would be my take on it anyway. So I wouldn't expect this would be an issue, it does not sound serious enough to pevent even a visa application going through, so can't see there being an issue here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edsullivan Posted December 15, 2012 Author Share Posted December 15, 2012 Thanks for the quick reply Rupert, that's taken a weight off my mind. My father is Australian by birth, born in Sydney. I can't wait to get my Aussie passport and get out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 No Rupert, Australia is different to the UK in how that works. You have to apply for Australian citizenship by descent it is not conferred automatically. There is a good character requirement if you are over 18. Without knowing for sure, I would be confident that your convictions will not stop you getting your Australian citizenship. And you wouldn't apply for a visa either. Apply for your citizenship and then get an Australian passport and you're in. http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applying/how_to_apply/descent/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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