Australian Citizenship requirements

On 1 July 2010 the current transitional arrangements for Citizenship applications will cease. This means that on and after 1 July 2010 there will only be one general residence requirement which everyone aged 16 and over will be required to meet. This residence requirement will apply to all applicants regardless of when they first arrived in Australia. It is based on the length of time:

·         you have lawfully lived in Australia

·         you have spent outside Australia

·         you have been a permanent resident.

 

The requirement is that:-

·         You must have been living in Australia on a valid Australian visa for 4 years immediately before applying, including 1 year as a permanent resident, and

·         You must not have been absent from Australia for more than 1 year during the 4 year period, including no more than 90 days in the year immediately before applying.

 

The old requirements applied to those who became permanent residents prior to 1 July 2007 and required you to be in Australia as a permanent resident for at least:

·         Two of the last Five (5) years; and

·         12 of the last 24 months

 

Please contact us regarding your Citizenship application.

 

 

Andrew Heathcote  CA  MMIA

Registered Migration Agent  MARN 0850840