NEW Direct Australian Citizenship Pathway For New Zealand Citizens
On 22 April 2023, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles, announced that a new pathway to Australian citizenship would be made available for New Zealand citizens living in Australia.
Prior to this announcement, the previous changes implemented from 26 February 2001, made it quite difficult for New Zealand citizens to become Australian citizens as they were required first to become permanent residents (like other foreign nationals).
The purpose of this change, as stated by Clare O’Neil, is to ‘strengthen ties with our closest neighbour, and will mean the many people already living and working in our communities can enjoy the benefits of citizenship’.
The New Pathways to Australian Citizenship
A condition that must be met when applying for Australian citizenship is the residence requirement. That is, you must have been present in Australia for the period of four (4) years, not absent for a total of more than 12 months, immediately before the citizenship application is made and present in Australia as a permanent resident for the period of 12 months, not absent for a total of more than 90 days, immediately before the application is made.
From 01 July 2023, New Zealand citizens that satisfy the following criteria will now be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship:
If you are currently holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (‘SCV’), or held it immediately before you last left Australia, and you arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001; and
From 01 July 2023, if you are holding an SCV, you will be considered a permanent resident when making a citizenship application.
If you were granted an SCV before 01 July 2022, you will be considered a permanent resident from 01 July 2022 when making a citizenship application.
If you were granted an SCV on or after 01 July 2022, you will be considered a permanent resident from the date your SCV was granted.
You have been living in Australia for four (4) years or more.
Additionally, from 01 July 2023, if you hold a SCV and had a child that was born in Australia on or after 01 July 2022 your child may automatically acquire Australian citizenship at birth. You will be able to apply for evidence of such citizenship from 01 July 2023.
It is important to note that these changes will not apply to citizenship applications that are submitted before 01 July 2023.
The projected changes reflect the close ties that Australia and New Zealand share and will allow individuals who have been living and working in Australia for a long time, to finally make a change and take the next step to Australian citizenship without too much hassle.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Assist
Contact us if you require any assistance in relation to becoming an Australian citizen.
At Agape Henry Crux, our Accredited Specialist(s) Immigration Lawyers and our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents are specialised in handling highly complex matters. You may schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
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