How to Apply For Australia Citizenship Visa - The Ultimate Guide

If you want to live and work in Australia permanently as a citizen, you need to apply for an Australian residence or citizenship visa. To be eligible for an Australian residence or citizenship visa, you must satisfy the eligibility requirements laid out by the Australian government. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about how to apply for an Australian residence or citizenship visa.

World Immigration Jul 18, 2022 0 Add to Reading List

How to Apply For Australia Citizenship Visa - The Ultimate Guide

The information given here is general in nature and is not legal advice. Instead, it explains the various categories of people who can apply for residence or citizenship, their eligibility requirements, and the processing times involved. If you wish to pursue permanent residency in Australia as a skilled foreign national, follow the steps listed below...

In the 21st century, Australia has become one of the most popular places for immigrants to call home. The country’s many economic opportunities and its location as a pathway for many other countries have made it an especially popular choice for ethnic-minority people. Those interested in applying for Australian citizenship by granting them permanent residency don’t need to be a citizen of any other country in order to do so.

Also Read: How To Apply For Australia Work Visa?

However, there are certain eligibility requirements that new citizens must meet in order to successfully pursue citizenship through this method. Let us take a look at everything you need to know about how to apply for Australia Citizenship Visa, eligibility criteria, and more:

What is the Australian Citizenship?

When many people think of becoming citizens of another country, they often think of being granted citizenship. But this is only one part of the equation. In fact, there are two types of citizenship that can be granted to people:

Australian citizenship - This is the citizenship that you will only receive if you are born in Australia. It is the most common type of citizenship and is granted to all native-born Australian citizens as well as to certain people born in Australia who choose to renounce their foreign citizenship.
Dual citizenship - This is the ability to hold citizenship in two countries.

Essentially, this means that you do not have to choose which country you want to be a citizen of, as you can maintain citizenship in both countries simultaneously. To be eligible for dual citizenship, you need to have at least one parent who is a citizen of Australia.

How to Become an Australian Citizen?

Becoming a citizen of another country is an exciting journey that can be traced back hundreds of years. The process of becoming an Australian citizen can be divided into three stages. Unfortunately, there are not too many people who choose to complete all three stages due to a variety of factors.

However, if you apply now, there is a high likelihood that you will be approved. During the first stage of the citizenship application process, you will need to apply for a visa and apply for permanent residency. You will be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after you become a permanent resident and after you have been in the country for at least four years.

In order to become a permanent resident of Australia, you will need to apply for a visa. There are two types of visas that you can get:

Subclass 189 Visa - Subclass 189 visas are for skilled migrants who have skills in a certain area such as health, education, or engineering. Subclass 189 visas can be either temporary or permanent.

Subclass 457 Visa - Subclass 457 visas are for temporary skilled workers. However, they can also be converted to permanent residency after a certain period of time.

Eligibility for Citizenship

Before you can apply for Australian citizenship, you will need to meet a number of requirements. These requirements vary based on your age, whether you have children and other factors. So, it is important to verify your eligibility for citizenship and start the process as soon as possible. The eligibility requirements for Australian citizenship are as follows:

You must be 18 years of age or older.
You must be a citizen of Australia by birth.
You must have been living in Australia for at least eight years.
You must intend to continue living in Australia permanently.
You must have no criminal conviction that would prevent you from becoming an Australian citizen.
You must be of good character.
You must be financially capable of supporting yourself and any dependents that you may have.
You must be able to understand the Australian constitution.

How long does it take to become a citizen?

Once you have completed all of the requirements for citizenship, you will be granted citizenship within six to 12 months. However, you will be required to pass a test and demonstrate your Australian citizenship knowledge before you are officially a citizen.

Also Read: Work in Australia 2022: Top 10 Jobs for Foreigners

With this in mind, you will be able to become an Australian citizen much faster if you complete the citizenship requirements as soon as possible. As mentioned above, the first step in the citizenship application process is to apply for a visa and apply for permanent residency. Once you have been approved, you will then be able to apply for Australian citizenship.

How to Apply for Australian Citizenship?

If you have completed all of the requirements for citizenship and have the required documentation ready, you will be able to apply for citizenship without any problems. The application for Australian citizenship cannot be done online, so you will need to visit your local Australian government office in person. At the government office, you will need to show your passport as well as another form of identification such as a driver’s license.

You will then need to fill out an application form that determines your eligibility for citizenship. After doing this, you will be issued a citizenship decision card that you can use to show the Immigration Department when you apply for citizenship. You will be required to visit a local Australian government office in person to apply for citizenship. If you cannot make it to your closest Australian government office, you can also apply online.

Citizenship Test

If you have completed the steps above, you are ready to take the Australian citizenship test. As mentioned above, the test will ask you questions on a range of topics such as the Australian constitution, customs, and history. You will be provided with a test paper and a passport-sized photograph at your local Australian government office.

Also Read: Best University to Study in Australia for International Students

It is important to study for the citizenship test as it will be the only opportunity that you have to successfully complete the test. If you fail the test, you will have to wait six months before you can retake the test. So, it is crucial that you take the test seriously. Once you have completed the test, you will be ready to apply for Australian citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I qualify for Australian citizenship?

Australian Citizenship Requirements

You are an Australian permanent resident.
You are over 16 years of age.
You have lived in Australia for a period of four years, including 12 months as a permanent resident.
Are of good character.
Have adequate knowledge of your responsibilities and privileges as a citizen.

How much does it cost to become an Australian citizen?

Cost. AUD300 if aged 16 or 17 years at the time of application. There is no cost for a child 15 years or younger applying on the same form as a parent. Other exemptions and concessions apply.

You can become a permanent resident of Australia by applying for and being granted a permanent visa that allows you to remain in Australia indefinitely. The most common permanent visas include some skilled work and family visas. To find a visa that suits your needs explore visa options.

What documents do I need for citizenship?

Documents to bring to your naturalization interview:

Proof of green card holder (permanent resident) status.
State-issued identification.
Travel Records.
Proof of current marital status and termination of your prior marriages.
Proof of termination of your spouse's previous marriages, if any.

How do I start the citizenship process?

Go through the 10-step naturalization process which includes:
Determining your eligibility to become an American citizen.
Completing Form N-400, the application for naturalization, and creating a free account to submit your form online.
Taking the U.S. Naturalization Test and having a personal interview.

Is the Australian citizenship test hard?

The Australian Citizenship Test has been described by many as too hard to pass. In fact, according to DailyMail, thousands fail the test annually, and up to 1,200 persons failed the test 3 times before they passed it.

Conclusion

Becoming an Australian citizen is a rewarding experience that many people wish to pursue. However, the process of becoming a citizen can be tedious and challenging. This article has provided you with all the information that you need to successfully apply for citizenship.

From completing the application process to passing the citizenship test, we hope that this guide will help you achieve your goal of becoming an Australian citizen.

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