dodziu 26 Posted June 26, 2020 On 15/06/2020 at 16:04, elderberry said: I don't think anyone knows right now, but you, me and lots of other people are wondering the same thing! Mind you I'm under Chairman Andrews control down here in Vic so it's likely to be after Christmas! I hope they will restart soon, got cancelled 4 days before my test date back in March. Anyone here from NT? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jess6 194 Posted June 30, 2020 Hi Everyone, Just updating my info, I just had my virtual Citizenship Ceremony. It was very quick and easy. I had sent an email on 27/04/2020 but I had not followed up with documents or anything as I do not think my circumstances were particular (I am pregnant but I do not believe it is relevant). So I think that it should be indicative for anyone having been approved in December 2019. Hope that helps! Citizenship Application lodged online: 09/05/2019 (aknowledgement received on the same day) Citizenship Email for the test received: 19/07/2019 Citizenship Test on: 19/12/2019 (results: 100%) Citizenship Application approved 20/12/2019 Citizenship Approval letter received: 08/01/2019 EOI received: 23/06/2020 Invitation received: 26/06/2020 Citizenship Ceremony: 30/06/2020 Council: City of Port Phillip (Melbourne, Victoria) 3 Citizenship Application lodged online: 09/05/2019 (aknowledgement received on the same day) Citizenship Email for the test received: 19/07/2019 Citizenship Test on: 19/12/2019 (results: 100%) Citizenship Application approved 20/12/2019 Citizenship Approval letter received: 08/01/2019 EOI received: 23/06/2020 Invitation received: 26/06/2020 Citizenship Ceremony: 30/06/2020 Council: City of Port Phillip (Melbourne, Victoria) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IndianzinOZ 10 Posted July 1, 2020 https://www.change.org/p/alan-tudge-restarting-citizenship-test-interview/exp/cl_/cl_sharecopy_23162805_en-GB/3/1022533028?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_23162805_en-GB%3A3&recruiter=1022533028&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition Can forum members plz sign this petition by Abhijeet Sen. This is to start tests. When people contend for their liberty they seldom get anything for their victory, but new masters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elderberry 101 Posted July 1, 2020 40 minutes ago, IndianzinOZ said: https://www.change.org/p/alan-tudge-restarting-citizenship-test-interview/exp/cl_/cl_sharecopy_23162805_en-GB/3/1022533028?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_23162805_en-GB%3A3&recruiter=1022533028&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition Can forum members plz sign this petition by Abhijeet Sen. This is to start tests. Sorry IndianinOz but I am not signing this petition. In fact I think it is quite reckless and improper to push any Government to get your citizenship at the expense of putting other (Australian) Citizens at risk for your own benefit. Why can't you just accept that we are in very abnormal times right now, and, if you want to be part of this society going forward then the right thing to do for your fellow Australian citizens is to be quietly patient and wait!!!!! 4 IELTS Academic 19/03/2011 Overall 8.5 | Skills Assessed CPA 18/06/11 | NSW State Sponsorship 19/09/11 | 176 Visa Lodged 06/10/11| CO Assigned 24/10/11| Police checks loaded 11/11/11| Medical 11/11/11, finalised 18/11/11, VISA GRANTED 21/11/11. Arrived 17/11/16 and settled in Melbourne Citizenship App: 24 May 2020 Test Invitation: Test Date: Approval: Ceremony: Council: Port Phillip, Vic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indianinoz 26 Posted July 1, 2020 Hello all, We've just heard last night here in Queensland that the state is opening its borders to people from all states(barring Victoria) from 10th July. And from 3rd of July i.e. Friday, gathering of up to 100 people is allowed depending upon the size of the premises. Until 2nd July this is 20 people. Soon it is coming to point where it is being impossible to digest the fact that citizenship test/interviews are on hold. And even worse is the fact that we don't know when they're going to commence. This is a one on one gathering and not a public gathering anyways. Citizenship ceremony is a public gathering, but even that has now been allowed by the immigration department subject to state wise restrictions. If Citizenship ceremony has been allowed statewise, why is test/interview still being kept on hold just because of one state(Victoria). Even in Victoria, where I believe a gathering of 5 is allowed, it is beyond explanation as to why a one on one activity is not being permitted. Current status - Permanent Resident Citizenship Application: 13/12/2019 Invitation: TBA Test Date: TBA Approval: TBA Ceremony: TBA Mackay Regional Council, Mackay, Queensland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indianinoz 26 Posted July 1, 2020 1 hour ago, elderberry said: Sorry IndianinOz but I am not signing this petition. In fact I think it is quite reckless and improper to push any Government to get your citizenship at the expense of putting other (Australian) Citizens at risk for your own benefit. Why can't you just accept that we are in very abnormal times right now, and, if you want to be part of this society going forward then the right thing to do for your fellow Australian citizens is to be quietly patient and wait!!!!! Hello Elderberry, Of course, it is your choice whether or not to sign the petition or not. BTW, I'm different to IndianinOz, so I'm not the one who posted the change.org link. But please see my above post. I agree that we were in abnormal times, and until 30th June, no one posted a petition. But now, in Australia especially, everything is pretty much back to normal(except Victoria). Current status - Permanent Resident Citizenship Application: 13/12/2019 Invitation: TBA Test Date: TBA Approval: TBA Ceremony: TBA Mackay Regional Council, Mackay, Queensland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cubiscus 11 Posted July 1, 2020 2 hours ago, Fisher1 said: Can I just say that I don’t see what the problem is? As far as I’m aware the only time citizenship is better than PR (except in the emotional sense) is if you are travelling outside Australia and lets face it, none of us are doing that any time soon. My government has just taken three months to renew my passport and I still haven’t got the new one - it’s probably going to take another month to get here. I’ve had a good whinge about that a couple of times because me and my passport don’t like to be separated, but it isn’t the end of the world, really it isn’t. There's quite a few benefits but it depends on your circumstances, for example the new HomeBuilder grant, voting, government jobs and if you need to leave the country for an emergency you don't need to worry about your PR travel authority expiring. As this is a service paid for I do think its incumbent on the government to find alternate solutions which they have with the ceremonies. 1 Citizenship Application: 09-Oct 19 | Invitation to Interview: 05-Dec 19 | Interview and Test: 09-Jan 20 | Approved: 09-Jan 20 | Ceremony (Virtual): 18-Jun-20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elderberry 101 Posted July 2, 2020 17 minutes ago, Cubiscus said: There's quite a few benefits but it depends on your circumstances, for example the new HomeBuilder grant, voting, government jobs and if you need to leave the country for an emergency you don't need to worry about your PR travel authority expiring. As this is a service paid for I do think its incumbent on the government to find alternate solutions which they have with the ceremonies. You pay for lots of things and have to wait. Maybe its just me, but I'd say just be grateful to be in a country with such low levels of coronavirus right now (and it would be even lower if everyone did the right thing) and do all you can in the short term to have a better long term. Immediate fulfillment of your needs isn't that important compared to life and death. Sadly, I think younger people (I'm nearly 50) may be more driven by their desires right now - to have no impact on their freedoms and lives, rather than taking the overall community into account. 2 IELTS Academic 19/03/2011 Overall 8.5 | Skills Assessed CPA 18/06/11 | NSW State Sponsorship 19/09/11 | 176 Visa Lodged 06/10/11| CO Assigned 24/10/11| Police checks loaded 11/11/11| Medical 11/11/11, finalised 18/11/11, VISA GRANTED 21/11/11. Arrived 17/11/16 and settled in Melbourne Citizenship App: 24 May 2020 Test Invitation: Test Date: Approval: Ceremony: Council: Port Phillip, Vic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garrychandi 39 Posted July 2, 2020 4 hours ago, Fisher1 said: Can I just say that I don’t see what the problem is? As far as I’m aware the only time citizenship is better than PR (except in the emotional sense) is if you are travelling outside Australia and lets face it, none of us are doing that any time soon. My government has just taken three months to renew my passport and I still haven’t got the new one - it’s probably going to take another month to get here. I’ve had a good whinge about that a couple of times because me and my passport don’t like to be separated, but it isn’t the end of the world, really it isn’t. I guess it depends on your circumstances. In my case , i can't access student loan so have to put my degree on hold until i get the citizenship. It could have been good time to be at Uni considering current economic downturn 1 Citizenship Applied - 21/05/20 in Sydney, Moved to Perth - Dec 2020, Test Invite - 10/12/20, Test date - 16/12/2020 Approval date - 14/01/2021 VetAssess Applied - 10/06/18, Positive Skill Assessment - 15/10/18 EOI NSW 190 - 23/10/18, Invitation - 15/11/18, Nomination Applied - 19/11/18, Nomination Approved- 20/11/18, Visa Lodged - 27/11/18, Health exam - 19/12/18, Grant - 21/05/19 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aquarian_86 3 Posted July 2, 2020 Hello Everyone, Finally my journey to citizenship comes to an end (well..almost).I just attended my virtual ceremony (Brisbane City). Took about 5 minutes . Signature updated with timelines. Cheers 2 Citizenship application: July 2019 Test Date: 6th Jan 2020 Approval: 11th Jan 2020 Virtual Ceremony EOI (e-mail): 23rd June Virtual Ceremony invite (email) : 26th June Virtual Ceremony : 2nd July. Citizenship certificate : Awaited. Council: Brisbane City Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fisher1 1,843 Posted July 2, 2020 8 hours ago, garrychandi said: I guess it depends on your circumstances. In my case , i can't access student loan so have to put my degree on hold until i get the citizenship. It could have been good time to be at Uni considering current economic downturn Oh sorry I didn’t realise - that must be a real drag. 103 visa application lodged February 2013. 143 visa application submitted January 2016. Police checks and form 80 submitted February 29th 2016. Visa granted April 4th 2016. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fisher1 1,843 Posted July 2, 2020 10 hours ago, Cubiscus said: There's quite a few benefits but it depends on your circumstances, for example the new HomeBuilder grant, voting, government jobs and if you need to leave the country for an emergency you don't need to worry about your PR travel authority expiring. As this is a service paid for I do think its incumbent on the government to find alternate solutions which they have with the ceremonies. Fair enough 103 visa application lodged February 2013. 143 visa application submitted January 2016. Police checks and form 80 submitted February 29th 2016. Visa granted April 4th 2016. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramot 5,039 Posted July 2, 2020 We have applied for citizenship as soon as we were eligible. We have made Australia home so citizenship is the next natural step for us, but as we haven’t lived in UK for 27 years we are happy to have dual citizenship. We have been quite moved when we attended both our children’s citizenship ceremonies by the strong emotions displayed by new Australians. My daughter said after her ceremony she had been surprised by how emotional she felt, she wasn’t expecting that as she thought she was just getting citizenship because it was the sensible thing to do. As an older person I genuinely don’t know the answer to this, but I wonder if there is more help available if you are a citizen rather than PR as you age? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Netbg 18 Posted July 3, 2020 (edited) Well I was in this for the long haul!!! 27 months!!! I have no idea why my application took so long (I thought it was fairly straightforward). They never asked me for any extra documents or told me they were waiting for anything. I was just one of the unlucky ones Citizenship App: 21 April 2018 Test Invitation: Test Date: 30 June 2019 Approval: 14 January 2020 Ceremony: 3 July 2020 (Online) Council: Brisbane city council, QLD Edited July 3, 2020 by Netbg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fisher1 1,843 Posted July 3, 2020 On 02/07/2020 at 21:35, ramot said: We have applied for citizenship as soon as we were eligible. We have made Australia home so citizenship is the next natural step for us, but as we haven’t lived in UK for 27 years we are happy to have dual citizenship. We have been quite moved when we attended both our children’s citizenship ceremonies by the strong emotions displayed by new Australians. My daughter said after her ceremony she had been surprised by how emotional she felt, she wasn’t expecting that as she thought she was just getting citizenship because it was the sensible thing to do. As an older person I genuinely don’t know the answer to this, but I wonder if there is more help available if you are a citizen rather than PR as you age? I’m not sure of the answer to that either Ramot ... like you we intend to apply for citizenship ASAP becaus it seems the natural next step. I think there’s a small benefit in not having to pay for residents return visas when you leave the country. For me I’d just feel that I didn’t properly belong here without it. (Also, having neglected to get Luxembourgish citizenship decades ago because there didn’t seem any need, I’m now kicking myself for that omission!). Seriously though, it seems right and sensible. 1 103 visa application lodged February 2013. 143 visa application submitted January 2016. Police checks and form 80 submitted February 29th 2016. Visa granted April 4th 2016. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marisawright 6,536 Posted July 4, 2020 (edited) On 02/07/2020 at 05:44, IndianzinOZ said: DoHA's decision of not starting tests till now is definitely unacceptable. Has it occurred to you that DoHA must be frantically busy dealing with the visa chaos caused by Covid, and citizenship is low on their priorities? It's true that if you want to take a government job where you need citizenship. I wasn't aware that Permanent Residents couldn't get HECS - wow, do migrants arriving with a university-aged child know that? However, those things affect only small percentage of the whole population and I can understand why other things are taking priority for government departments. Edited July 4, 2020 by Marisawright 2 Scot by birth, emigrated 1985 | Aussie husband applied UK spouse visa Jan 2015, granted March 2015, moved to UK May 2015 | Returned to Oz June 2016 "The stranger who comes home does not make himself at home but makes home itself strange." -- Rainer Maria Rilke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ali 16,172 Posted July 4, 2020 On 02/07/2020 at 11:14, IndianzinOZ said: Hi patrons, We have also put a petition with the APH. Once it gets approved by parliament office, forum members can sign it. Will provide the link. Let us sign the petition and get the citizenship tests started ASAP. Lets us all support this good cause. It's usually forum etiquette to ask permission from admin before posting petitions requesting the membership to sign. 2 I just want PIO to be a happy place where people are nice to each other and unicorns poop rainbows Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t.t 9 Posted July 4, 2020 Hi guys and girls, GOOD NEWS, FINALLY BECAME AN AUSSIE I've been a long time silent viewer of this forum. I wana thank everyone for all their posts and for all the genuinely good information that was provided. Here the timeline... First week of December 2019 citizenship application lodged (im in Perth, WA) Email received in second week of January 2020 for for a test and interview for April 2020. Rescheduled the test to last week of January 2020 and passed the test and was approved the same day (i guess i was one of the lucky ones to avoid Covid related cancelations). Received the EOI email for a virtual ceremony from SA( Adelaide) in last week of july 2020 and did the ceremony 4 days after receiving the email. Did it on Phone app, It was over in 5 mins and lady was very friendly and nice. Received the certificate in mail yesterday and my happiness cannot be expressed in words. Again thank you very much for all for these posts. Cheers 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t.t 9 Posted July 4, 2020 2 minutes ago, t.t said: Hi guys and girls, GOOD NEWS, FINALLY BECAME AN AUSSIE I've been a long time silent viewer of this forum. I wana thank everyone for all their posts and for all the genuinely good information that was provided. Here the timeline... First week of December 2019 citizenship application lodged (im in Perth, WA) Email received in second week of January 2020 for for a test and interview for April 2020. Rescheduled the test to last week of January 2020 and passed the test and was approved the same day (i guess i was one of the lucky ones to avoid Covid related cancelations). Received the EOI email for a virtual ceremony from SA( Adelaide) in last week of july 2020 and did the ceremony 4 days after receiving the email. Did it on Phone app, It was over in 5 mins and lady was very friendly and nice. Received the certificate in mail yesterday and my happiness cannot be expressed in words. Again thank you very much for all for these posts. Cheers Oops correction Received the eoi in last week of june 2020 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Pom Queen 5,775 Posted July 4, 2020 On 02/07/2020 at 13:14, IndianzinOZ said: Hi patrons, We have also put a petition with the APH. Once it gets approved by parliament office, forum members can sign it. Will provide the link. Let us sign the petition and get the citizenship tests started ASAP. Lets us all support this good cause. @IndianzinOZ Admin here: I do not mind ONE post with your petition (although it may have been nice to ask first) I cannot permit you flooding every forum/thread with it. I have just deleted a large number of them tonight. I will now remove a number of them in this thread and allow one to remain. 6 1 If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Pom Queen 5,775 Posted July 4, 2020 1 hour ago, t.t said: Hi guys and girls, GOOD NEWS, FINALLY BECAME AN AUSSIE I've been a long time silent viewer of this forum. I wana thank everyone for all their posts and for all the genuinely good information that was provided. Here the timeline... First week of December 2019 citizenship application lodged (im in Perth, WA) Email received in second week of January 2020 for for a test and interview for April 2020. Rescheduled the test to last week of January 2020 and passed the test and was approved the same day (i guess i was one of the lucky ones to avoid Covid related cancelations). Received the EOI email for a virtual ceremony from SA( Adelaide) in last week of july 2020 and did the ceremony 4 days after receiving the email. Did it on Phone app, It was over in 5 mins and lady was very friendly and nice. Received the certificate in mail yesterday and my happiness cannot be expressed in words. Again thank you very much for all for these posts. Cheers Congratulations that is wonderful news 🥳🥳 If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VS01 10 Posted July 8, 2020 Submitted my citizenship application and attached front photo instead of rear endorsed photo. What to in this case? Not able to see any option to attach it again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garrychandi 39 Posted July 8, 2020 Those of you in WA, test resumed on 6th July In-person citizenship interviews and citizenship tests have recommenced in Western Australia only from 6 July 2020. Eligible individuals will be contacted and invited to attend a citizenship interview or test. There is no need to contact the Department about your citizenship interview or test. We will gradually restart interviews and citizenship tests in other states and territories when it is safe to do so. 1 Citizenship Applied - 21/05/20 in Sydney, Moved to Perth - Dec 2020, Test Invite - 10/12/20, Test date - 16/12/2020 Approval date - 14/01/2021 VetAssess Applied - 10/06/18, Positive Skill Assessment - 15/10/18 EOI NSW 190 - 23/10/18, Invitation - 15/11/18, Nomination Applied - 19/11/18, Nomination Approved- 20/11/18, Visa Lodged - 27/11/18, Health exam - 19/12/18, Grant - 21/05/19 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hex 557 Posted July 9, 2020 Hey guys Does anyone here (who's going through Sydney council) have any updated timelines / stories of ceremonies etc. I'm not complaining, just curious as we (family of 4) applied in November and have still not heard anything. - I understand these things take a long time, was just wondering if it's just me. I'm sure the COVID situation has messed around with tons of timelines. Regards Occupation: Developer Programmer Birth Country: SA (South Africa) Stream: 457 > 186 TRT > Citizenship Number of applicants: 4 (wife + 2 children: age 1 and 3) Visa and Nomination applied: January 9th 2018 Nomination approved: 8th October 2018 Visa Granted: 12 November 2018 IMMI Status: Finalized (granted) Citizenship application: 1st January 2020 Test Date: 10/12/2020 (15min - 100% passed) Approved: 10/12/2020 (within 20min after I passed my test) Ceremony: TBC ***Disclaimer*** I'm not a migration agent. When in doubt, seek advice from a professional. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elderberry 101 Posted July 9, 2020 16 hours ago, garrychandi said: Those of you in WA, test resumed on 6th July In-person citizenship interviews and citizenship tests have recommenced in Western Australia only from 6 July 2020. Eligible individuals will be contacted and invited to attend a citizenship interview or test. There is no need to contact the Department about your citizenship interview or test. We will gradually restart interviews and citizenship tests in other states and territories when it is safe to do so. I might be waiting a while then in Melbourne. 1 IELTS Academic 19/03/2011 Overall 8.5 | Skills Assessed CPA 18/06/11 | NSW State Sponsorship 19/09/11 | 176 Visa Lodged 06/10/11| CO Assigned 24/10/11| Police checks loaded 11/11/11| Medical 11/11/11, finalised 18/11/11, VISA GRANTED 21/11/11. Arrived 17/11/16 and settled in Melbourne Citizenship App: 24 May 2020 Test Invitation: Test Date: Approval: Ceremony: Council: Port Phillip, Vic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites