How to become an Australian citizen? To meet the general residence requirement for citizenship, you must have been living in Australia lawfully for a period of four (4) years and at least one (1) year as a Permanent Resident immediately before making an application.
All temporary visas, such as visitor visas, student visas, employer or partner-sponsored visas and all classes of bridging visas, can be counted towards the four years lawful residence period.
You may be absent from Australia for up to twelve (12) months within the four (4) years immediately before applying. However, the absence period cannot be counted unless you have already been present in Australia before.
Furthermore, you may be absent for up to ninety (90) days within the twelve (12) months of permanent residence immediately before applying. However, that’s on the proviso you return to Australia as a permanent resident.
It is possible to meet a special residence requirement if you have work that requires you to travel regularly for at least two years before applying for Australian citizenship.
Contact us if you require any assistance with your application.
Hi Nilesh
Thanks for time. I came in Australia 2007, then change to spouse visa , my wife did hairdressers course and we lodged TRA in 2009 and refused in 2010 under PIC (4020) circumstances and my first child born in 2010 and after long time we won the battle in 2019 and now we are on 485 visa till 26May2021 ,and under 10year child rule my son granted Australian citizenship and i have another child he is 2 year old .we are seeking best advise for your experience to settle permanently in Australia.Regards
Your options include making an application for Ministerial Intervention as you already have a decision of the tribunal in hand, although I noticed that it was handed down some time ago.
There is no time limit for making an application for ministerial intervention after the AAT decision.
This is the key to accessing the Minister’s power for the Minister to consider exercising his powers based on the fact that you have an Australian citizen child.
Even though your child is an Australian citizen, the child is less than 18 years old and cannot usually sponsor parents for any parent visas unless there is a relative or guardian who is either an Australian citizen or permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Other eligibility criteria also may be relevant.
When you are ready to get specific advice about your circumstances, please book a consultation with us to confirm your options.
Please share your comments with me.
I’d love to know more about your experience with applying for citizenship!
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Hi Nilesh, thank you so much for spending your precious time answering the enquiry section.
Please help me clarify what happens if I stay more than 90 days outside Australia the last 12 months. When or how that period would be reset?
Much appreciated,
hi Nilesh, I have been in Australia since 2018 July lawfully and received my PR march 2021. my query is that can I leave Australia for couple of years right after applying for my citizenship in march 2023? as I have completed my 4 years here and 1 year as PR. Do i still need to be here until my application is finalised? thank you
HI, I have two questions,
My baby was born here in Jan 2022, we got our residency in Dec 2022, is my baby still eligible to apply for citizenship on their own?
What happens if you are absent for more than 90 days during the 1 year residency requirement period? Do we need to start all over again or we can just exclude overstay days?
Thank you
Hi,
Visitor Visa Arrival: 30/12/2018
457 Visa Approved: 11/2/2019
PR granted: 11/12/2020
Overseas Travel: 18/12/2019-18/01/2020
(1 month vacation)
Can I apply for Citizenship by conferral by January 1, 2023?
Am I a lawful resident since 30/12/2018?
Should i deduct my 1 month vacation on the 4 years lawful resident requirements ?
Hi,
Can I apply Australian Citizenship by January 1, 2023?
Visitor Visa - Arrival Dec 30, 2018
457 Visa - Approved Feb 11, 2019
Away - Dec 18,2019-Jan 18,2020
PR - Approved Dec 11, 2020
Does that mean that I am a lawful resident here in Australia for 4 years by Dec 30 (tomorrow) and can apply Citizenship by conferral by January 2023?
Thanks
Hi,
MY PR visa expires in February 2023, I have just put in my application for citizenship. Do I need to apply for a bridging visa?
Hi Nilesh,
I just want to know if i can include my kids in my citizenship application (15yrs and below). They came to Australia 4months later than me. Can i still include them if they reside here less than 4yrs?
Hi Nilesh!
I’m on PR since May 2022. I’m planning to apply for citizenship next May 2023. However, my partner ( aus citizen) got a job in UK and we might have to move to UK before May 2023.
Will I be able to apply for citizenship still in May 2023 being outside of Australia ?
If I stay until May in a country and apply tad then move to UK - will it be better for my Australian citizenship application?
Thank you !!!
I have lived in Australia for 42 years as a permanent resident. Due to Covid and not having seen my family for three years I went home to see my family in the UK for an extended period. I am told this makes me ineligible to apply for Australian Citizenship. I was told I should have applied during Covid! I did not think about it then because no one was allowed to leave the country.
As a permanent resident of so many years are there any extenuating circumstances?
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