Citizenship

[tonyman]

Im sorry i know you must be sick of getting asked questions on this subject but i now need to sort citizenship out .........ive just ordered the book on line about the questions they will ask during the test .......so i will study that ...then do i get the forms from (where) to actually sit the test (together with my wife)

 

we are permenant residents and our visa says to remain in Australia indefinitely(what exactly does that mean......as PR`S ,if we did not take out citizenship would we ever have to renew our visa......?

 

also once we have passed the test .....how often do they have the ceremonies ......

 

any help would be great ...thanks ...regards Nick

[Guest guest37336]

Im sorry i know you must be sick of getting asked questions on this subject but i now need to sort citizenship out .........ive just ordered the book on line about the questions they will ask during the test .......so i will study that ...then do i get the forms from (where) to actually sit the test (together with my wife)

 

we are permenant residents and our visa says to remain in Australia indefinitely(what exactly does that mean......as PR`S ,if we did not take out citizenship would we ever have to renew our visa......?

 

also once we have passed the test .....how often do they have the ceremonies ......

 

any help would be great ...thanks ...regards Nick

 

 

Hi Nick.

 

Whilst I cannot answer your specific questions mate I will tell you about my own citizenship ceremony.

 

Mine was in Broome, WA, very laid back , etc. Only myself, the council leader and one poor schmuck who I dragged off the streets to be a witness (true, as my witness was too drunk to attend).

 

The questions involved were:

 

Can you sing Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi, whilst balancing a stubbie on my head, AND, caressing a blow up Kangaroo at the same time.

 

I was asked did I know what 'Girt By Sea' was. I replied with, 'I think it is a little outcrop of the coast the The Isle Of Sheppy'.

 

I was then asked to get dressed in a Collingwood Jersey, abuse as many people as I could, as quickly as I could, then I had to pray to the God of Aussie Rules, Sam Newman.

 

I was then asked to do a taste test on some very famous Australian beers. After several dozen I came to the conclusion that they all tasted very similar, and asked could I have a pint of cask conditioned Directors Ale please. This was met with disproval, but I think I managed to save the day when I said the wines from Australia are some of the best in the world.

 

I was then asked did I know the difference between VB and V8. I pondered for a while, and replied, 'I think they are both Roman numerals'.

 

The councillor involved then said, 'What do you think about Whinging Poms? In reply (I think this sealed the deal) I said:

 

Maaaatttttteeeeeeeeee, struth, the dirty Poms come over here and expect it to be a version of Mother England. ****ing oath, if I ever meet one I will tell the Pommy Barsteward to either Fit In Or **** Off, mmmaaaattttteeeeeee'.

 

With this the councillor involved (I think his name was 'Stevo') shook me by the hand, slapped me on the back and said, 'Welcome Tony to Austrrraaalllliiiiaaaaaaaaa, maaatttttteeeeeee'.

 

OK Nick, I have no idea about the waiting criteria and questions they will ask, and I'm sorry if this came over a bit glib, but in all sincerity mate, the day I got my citizenship in Broome is a day I remember with very, very fond memories and one that I always will.

 

Cheers Tony.:biglaugh:

[tonyman]

Hi Nick.

 

Whilst I cannot answer your specific questions mate I will tell you about my own citizenship ceremony.

 

Mine was in Broome, WA, very laid back , etc. Only myself, the council leader and one poor schmuck who I dragged off the streets to be a witness (true, as my witness was too drunk to attend).

 

The questions involved were:

 

Can you sing Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi, whilst balancing a stubbie on my head, AND, caressing a blow up Kangaroo at the same time.

 

I was asked did I know what 'Girt By Sea' was. I replied with, 'I think it is a little outcrop of the coast the The Isle Of Sheppy'.

 

I was then asked to get dressed in a Collingwood Jersey, abuse as many people as I could, as quickly as I could, then I had to pray to the God of Aussie Rules, Sam Newman.

 

I was then asked to do a taste test on some very famous Australian beers. After several dozen I came to the conclusion that they all tasted very similar, and asked could I have a pint of cask conditioned Directors Ale please. This was met with disproval, but I think I managed to save the day when I said the wines from Australia are some of the best in the world.

 

I was then asked did I know the difference between VB and V8. I pondered for a while, and replied, 'I think they are both Roman numerals'.

 

The councillor involved then said, 'What do you think about Whinging Poms? In reply (I think this sealed the deal) I said:

 

Maaaatttttteeeeeeeeee, struth, the dirty Poms come over here and expect it to be a version of Mother England. ****ing oath, if I ever meet one I will tell the Pommy Barsteward to either Fit In Or **** Off, mmmaaaattttteeeeeee'.

 

With this the councillor involved (I think his name was 'Stevo') shook me by the hand, slapped me on the back and said, 'Welcome Tony to Austrrraaalllliiiiaaaaaaaaa, maaatttttteeeeeee'.

 

OK Nick, I have no idea about the waiting criteria and questions they will ask, and I'm sorry if this came over a bit glib, but in all sincerity mate, the day I got my citizenship in Broome is a day I remember with very, very fond memories and one that I always will.

 

Cheers Tony.:biglaugh:

 

:biglaugh:....Thanks Tony ,i knew i could count on you pal ........well, if my ceremony is like yours i should do well and fit in ok.................i still dont understand where your at , are you still living in both uk and here and cant decide which one to stay in ....? :confused:....regards Nick

[Guest guest37336]

:biglaugh:....Thanks Tony ,i knew i could count on you pal ........well, if my ceremony is like yours i should do well and fit in ok.................i still dont understand where your at , are you still living in both uk and here and cant decide which one to stay in ....? :confused:....regards Nick

 

Hi Nick.

 

To clear up the confusion mate, (I often get confused myself) at the moment in UK because of Ruth's health, fingers crossed should be back in Australia some time within the next eighteen months mate. Have 'migrated' (with family and by myself) seven times, various reasons why I HAD to come back to blighty. All in all mate, total migrations/visits to Australia is 28.

 

Sometimes don't know my arse from my elbow.:goofy::biglaugh:

 

Cheers Tony.:wink:

[tonyman]

Hi Nick.

 

To clear up the confusion mate, (I often get confused myself) at the moment in UK because of Ruth's health, fingers crossed should be back in Australia some time within the next eighteen months mate. Have 'migrated' (with family and by myself) seven times, various reasons why I HAD to come back to blighty. All in all mate, total migrations/visits to Australia is 28.

 

Sometimes don't know my arse from my elbow.:goofy::biglaugh:

 

Cheers Tony.:wink:

 

Cheers Tony , im not being nosey but i just couldnt work out what you where up to .......Very Best Wishes to Ruth , hope all goes well ..........regards Nick.....28 times !!!!!

[Guest guest37336]

Cheers Tony , im not being nosey but i just couldnt work out what you where up to .......Very Best Wishes to Ruth , hope all goes well ..........regards Nick.....28 times !!!!!

 

No problem mate, I know your not being nosey Nick.

 

Ref the 28 times, what must be remembered mate is this, when I was 'On One' I had no idea what I was doing, where I was going and when. Found myself on a cargo ship once going from Australia to Singapore, to this day I have no idea of how I got on it.:goofy::biglaugh:

 

Cheers Tony.:wink:

[Joebloggs]

Im sorry i know you must be sick of getting asked questions on this subject but i now need to sort citizenship out .........ive just ordered the book on line about the questions they will ask during the test .......so i will study that ...then do i get the forms from (where) to actually sit the test (together with my wife)

 

we are permenant residents and our visa says to remain in Australia indefinitely(what exactly does that mean......as PR`S ,if we did not take out citizenship would we ever have to renew our visa......?

 

also once we have passed the test .....how often do they have the ceremonies ......

 

any help would be great ...thanks ...regards Nick

 

I got the old lobotomy myself. Piece of p!ss to be honest.

 

Permanent residence visa is not permanent. It only lasts 5 years and then you need a RRV if you still want to travel in and out of Australia.

 

Also have you checked if you eligible? The new rules state that you have to have had 4 years lawful residence in Australia, there is an online calculator that will tell you exactly what day you qualify on.

 

You can apply online and it only takes about 1/2 hour costs $260. Once they process it they give you your interview date. Interview is pretty casual and was my first time face to face with DIAC staff.. they are just normal people not at all anything like the heartless monsters some of the muppets on these threads try to portray.

 

Anyway bit casual chat about what I work at and where I live, why i am going for citizenship etc. Any way he asked me did I study the test booklet and what did I think? Told him it was commonsense and shouldn't be a problem. he just laughed.

 

Escorted me to my computer in the test room 20 questions in 45 minutes, I did it in 1 min 56 secs much to the disgust of the lady who was sitting beside me who had already in there for over 30 minutes and was looking slightly confused. Up to the desk for the result and the girl give me a congratulations for my 100%.

 

Find a copy of the test attached.

[Guest hels]

If that was the actual test, that would be awesome lovit

[ali]

Im sorry i know you must be sick of getting asked questions on this subject but i now need to sort citizenship out .........ive just ordered the book on line about the questions they will ask during the test .......so i will study that ...then do i get the forms from (where) to actually sit the test (together with my wife)

 

we are permenant residents and our visa says to remain in Australia indefinitely(what exactly does that mean......as PR`S ,if we did not take out citizenship would we ever have to renew our visa......?

 

also once we have passed the test .....how often do they have the ceremonies ......

 

any help would be great ...thanks ...regards Nick

 

 

Hi,

 

I rang up and they booked us an appointment. At that time they were only booking 6 weeks ahead - They were really helpful. The emailed me all the forms and I just printed them off.

 

We sat the test in Perth (can't remember the name of the street but it's in the centre) and took all our forms with us so that in the event of us passing (we did) we could submit all our documents. You also have to take birth certs and passports etc - they give you a list. It took 3 weeks for our Citizenship to be granted - it can take as little as a couple of days - it depends when all the checks come back that they ask for.

 

You're not officially a citizen until you've had your ceremony, you nominate where you want to do it. We live in Melville so obviously we had it there, Mellville city hold monthly ceremonies - we waited 4 months. I have a colleague who did her ceremony in Armadale and it was much quicker. There was about 60 people getting citizenship when we did it.

 

If you don't get citizenship, it means that after 5 years, if you leave the country - you have to get a resident return visa.

[tonyman]

Hi,

 

I rang up and they booked us an appointment. At that time they were only booking 6 weeks ahead - They were really helpful. The emailed me all the forms and I just printed them off.

 

We sat the test in Perth (can't remember the name of the street but it's in the centre) and took all our forms with us so that in the event of us passing (we did) we could submit all our documents. You also have to take birth certs and passports etc - they give you a list. It took 3 weeks for our Citizenship to be granted - it can take as little as a couple of days - it depends when all the checks come back that they ask for.

 

You're not officially a citizen until you've had your ceremony, you nominate where you want to do it. We live in Melville so obviously we had it there, Mellville city hold monthly ceremonies - we waited 4 months. I have a colleague who did her ceremony in Armadale and it was much quicker. There was about 60 people getting citizenship when we did it.

 

If you don't get citizenship, it means that after 5 years, if you leave the country - you have to get a resident return visa.

 

 

Thanx Ali, that sounds pretty straight forward....our visa was granted March 2006,while on holiday here ......we came here to live in August 2007.......so when we had our visa stamped the law was you had to be here for 2 yrs to gain citizenship and im sure that stands with us ...if not we only have to wait another 9 months .......the other problem is my wifes passport has ran out and also some of the childrens too ,would that cause any problem (we dont intend to leave Oz in the near future ) .......thanks so much , regards Nick.

[Joebloggs]

If that was the actual test, that would be awesome lovit

 

Thats the old test when DIAC was DIMMA, the new test is mostly about flags and laws and stuff.

 

Really a good Australian citizenship test is have a big beach Barbie and get all the ladies into bikinis and everyone has to chow down on Pork sausages washed down with plenty of beers.

[Ozmaniac]

The new 4 year citizenship eligibility rules will apply to you. There was a transition period for some long term residents, but that finished a few months ago and now the same rule applies to everyone.

[Joebloggs]

The new 4 year citizenship eligibility rules will apply to you. There was a transition period for some long term residents, but that finished a few months ago and now the same rule applies to everyone.

 

That what I thought, new applications had to be in before the end of June otherwise all new applications are complete 4 year residence. Thats why I advised to use the calculator.

 

https://www.ecom.immi.gov.au/citz/editLodgeDate.do

 

 

Although that 4 years legal residence so anytime spent on a WHV or 457 counts as long as 1 year of PR is completed. Some people reckon a holiday visa counts as well but never had one so wouldn't know.

[ali]

It won't matter that your passports have expired - plus you'll be applying for an aussie one anyway !!

[scottntina]

Can anyone tell me if we are able to go to and fro from new zealand with our australian PR visa ?

 

Or do we have to have citizenship first.

 

I have heard that once you have citizenship in Oz, it entitles you to have dual passport for New Zealand too?

 

I would be grateful for any help guys.

 

Thanks again

Tina

[Mongrel]

Thanx Ali, that sounds pretty straight forward....our visa was granted March 2006,while on holiday here ......we came here to live in August 2007.......so when we had our visa stamped the law was you had to be here for 2 yrs to gain citizenship and im sure that stands with us ...if not we only have to wait another 9 months .......the other problem is my wifes passport has ran out and also some of the childrens too ,would that cause any problem (we dont intend to leave Oz in the near future ) .......thanks so much , regards Nick.

 

 

Nick you could have tqken it in 2008 august as your pr visa was validated in 2006 before the new rules any luck with the mr indian man and the goat lol (sounds like a porn movie lol)

[tonyman]

Nick you could have tqken it in 2008 august as your pr visa was validated in 2006 before the new rules any luck with the mr indian man and the goat lol (sounds like a porn movie lol)

 

Yorki , im all for porn........but lets talk meat (the animal type ) glad you have no hard feelings pal ....it was all in jest and a missunderstanding, im not like that .......i will bell him tmoz and kick his arse in gear as now is the time to stock up ....he went into panic mode as the doc told him he was heading for diabetis , but many docs tell you that .........

[scottntina]

Can anyone tell me if we are able to go to and fro from new zealand with our australian PR visa ?

 

Or do we have to have citizenship first.

 

I have heard that once you have citizenship in Oz, it entitles you to have dual passport for New Zealand too?

 

I would be grateful for any help guys.

 

Thanks again

Tina

 

 

ANY IDEAS GUYS ?????

 

Thanks

[Cerberus1]

ANY IDEAS GUYS ?????

 

Thanks

 

According to the NZ Govt website

 

If you’re an Australian citizen, you don’t need to apply for any type of visa or permit, but you will be allowed to live, work or study in New Zealand indefinitely . You will need to show a valid Australian passport on your arrival in New Zealand and be of good character.

If you are an Australian permanent resident entering New Zealand with a current Australian Resident Return Visa in your valid passport, you will normally be granted a Residence Permit on arrival into NZ, provided you have completed your arrival card correctly and truthfully. However, you can still be refused residence if you are not of good character (you will be required to make a character declaration when entering NZ).

[Mongrel]

According to the NZ Govt website

 

Thats it then access denied:biglaugh:

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

Was that test for real?

 

Most of it was plain silly.

[Joebloggs]

Was that test for real?

 

Most of it was plain silly.

 

eh!! what do you think?

[scottntina]

According to the NZ Govt website

So am i right in thinking, that if we just have PR and are not yet citizens, we are unable to work in New Zealand.

 

Thanks,

Sorry if i sound a bit thick !

Tina

[Guest langhoatu81]

Hi Nick.

 

Whilst I cannot answer your specific questions mate I will tell you about my own citizenship ceremony.

 

Mine was in Broome, WA, very laid back , etc. Only myself, the council leader and one poor schmuck who I dragged off the streets to be a witness (true, as my witness was too drunk to attend).

 

The questions involved were:

 

Can you sing Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi, whilst balancing a stubbie on my head, AND, caressing a blow up Kangaroo at the same time.

 

I was asked did I know what 'Girt By Sea' was. I replied with, 'I think it is a little outcrop of the coast the The Isle Of Sheppy'.

 

I was then asked to get dressed in a Collingwood Jersey, abuse as many people as I could, as quickly as I could, then I had to pray to the God of Aussie Rules, Sam Newman.

 

I was then asked to do a taste test on some very famous Australian beers. After several dozen I came to the conclusion that they all tasted very similar, and asked could I have a pint of cask conditioned Directors Ale please. This was met with disproval, but I think I managed to save the day when I said the wines from Australia are some of the best in the world.

 

I was then asked did I know the difference between VB and V8. I pondered for a while, and replied, 'I think they are both Roman numerals'.

 

The councillor involved then said, 'What do you think about Whinging Poms? In reply (I think this sealed the deal) I said:

 

Maaaatttttteeeeeeeeee, struth, the dirty Poms come over here and expect it to be a version of Mother England. ****ing oath, if I ever meet one I will tell the Pommy Barsteward to either Fit In Or **** Off, mmmaaaattttteeeeeee'.

 

With this the councillor involved (I think his name was 'Stevo') shook me by the hand, slapped me on the back and said, 'Welcome Tony to Austrrraaalllliiiiaaaaaaaaa, maaatttttteeeeeee'.

 

OK Nick, I have no idea about the waiting criteria and questions they will ask, and I'm sorry if this came over a bit glib, but in all sincerity mate, the day I got my citizenship in Broome is a day I remember with very, very fond memories and one that I always will.

 

Cheers Tony.:biglaugh:

I like your post..hahaha damn so funny in WA...you must find it very exciting about the way they asked..haha still find it very funny...good laugh..cheer Tony You are bloody real Aussie now hahaha

[Ozmaniac]

So am i right in thinking, that if we just have PR and are not yet citizens, we are unable to work in New Zealand.

 

Thanks,

Sorry if i sound a bit thick !

Tina

 

As an Australian PR, you are automatically granted NZ PR privileges upon arrival.

 

In 2009, I had a link to an NZ Operations Manual page that stated ""People who hold current Australian permanent residence visas or current Australian resident return visas may be granted residence permits on arrival in New Zealand, provided they have not been excluded under section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987" but unfortunately the link has expired so there's no point in giving it to you, but nothing has changed since then.

 

Will try to find the current manual page, but I think that is pretty clear. I also have this one though it's a bit ambiguous about whether you need an Australian Resident Return visa before you qualify - the excerpt above is much clearer on that point.

Can I work and gain residence in New Zealand?

 

EDITED TO ADD:

Here is the current NZ Operations Manual:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/DE3CE116-100F-4855-A3C8-38413511E3CC/0/Residence.pdf

 

It's a bit confusing but i read it as saying that an Australian PR (with or without an RR visa) is exempt from any requirement to apply for a Residence Visa but needs a Residence Permit. It seems that the Permit will be granted upon arrival in NZ.