Citizenship

[LYNDAMUMFORD]

Hi all

 

Can anyone tell me how soon you can apply for citizenship? I had it in my head that you had to live in Australia for 5 years, however have seen others state they have been there for less time & are now citizens.

 

Many thanks Lynda

[BritChickx]

It's 4 years !

[LYNDAMUMFORD]

Thanks BritChicx x

[Phil & Vikki]

We thought that it was three years out of five, but after looking we did see this site which may help you:

 

How do I become an Australian Citizen?

 

Have lived in Australia as a lawful resident for a total of four years where absences of a cumulative duration of less than 12 months will not matter, including 12 months as a permanent resident immediately preceding the date of application where absences of a cumulative duration of less than 3 months during this period will not matter

[calNgary]

If you arrived before July 2007 its 2 years ,anytime after that is 4 years.

 

Cal x

[Quoll]

If you arrived before July 2007 its 2 years ,anytime after that is 4 years.

 

Cal x

 

That changed last year and now it is 4 years for anyone - there was a bit of a grandfather clause in there for a while.

 

Calculator here https://www.ecom.immi.gov.au/citz/startIntervalCalc.do

[netballnut]

Hey sorry to sound a bit thick on this subject but is it 4 four from when you entered the country to live permantly or doescount from when you came and validated your visa.

 

Thanks again

 

Helen :smile:

[Guest AustrAnglian]

Hi, see the DIAC link below

Australian Citizenship – Migrant with permanent residence

If you were granted a migrant visa offshore your permanent residence date is the date of your first arrival in Australia on this visa.

 

So if you make a validation trip the 4 years starts counting from then. Hope that helps.

[Ozmaniac]

You must have been in Australia on a valid visa for at least 4 years including at least 1 year as a permanent resident. During the 4 years, you cannot have been outside the country for longer than 12 months in total. In the 12 months immediately before applying, you cannot have been outside Australia for any longer than 90 days.

 

If you validated your visa and then left the country and stayed away for any longer than a year, your 4 years for citizenship will start when you return. During that time, you can't be out of the country for any longer than 12 months in total with no longer than 30 days of that 12 months being in the last of the 4 years. If you validate and then stay away for less than a year, your 4 years would start from the validation entry date, but you would have to stay in Australia for nearly all of the next 4 years.