Relief as Citizenship Proposed Changes Scrapped – 4 Years Total In Australia Required, No English Test
This post reflects the legal landscape as of the date of publication. Laws may have changed since then. Please consult a legal professional for current information and personalised advice.
Migrants heave a sigh of relief as the Citizenship Bill was struck down – as announced by Tony Burke in Parliament yesterday 18 October. Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Australia Tony Burke said, “This is a great victory for every person who wants to pledge allegiance to this country and make a commitment to Australia.” This means:
- No English test
- No need to hold PR for 4 years prior to application
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton confirmed to ABC News that applications received after April 20 would be processed under existing laws.
General requirements for citizenship:
- Permanent resident for at least 12 months
- Lawfully been in Australia for at least 4 years (including time spent before PR grant)
- Haven’t been outside of Australia for more than 90 days in the 12 months prior to applying
- Haven’t been physically outside of Australia for more than 12 months in the 4 years prior to applying
- Be of good character
It is strongly recommended to proceed straight away with lodging your citizenship application before any surprises come along.
We can confirm your eligibility and lodge your application for you for $1,100 + government fee (discounts for family). Feel free to get in touch with us. For further information, call 07 3062 0961. Skype/ email address: info@condormigration.com