How to Apply for Australian Citizenship (by Conferral) for New Zealand Citizens?
Are you thinking of applying for Australian citizenship? The pathway to Australian citizenship is accessible and straightforward for New Zealand citizens, especially for those who hold a permanent visa or a Special Category Visa (SCV) (Subclass 444).
Related:
What are the Australian Citizenship Eligibility Requirements for New Zealand Citizens?
Applicants must hold a permanent visa or an SCV (Subclass 444) at the time of application. New Zealanders who hold an SCV are considered PR for citizenship purposes.
New Zealand Citizens holding Special Category Visa (SCV) (Subclass 444)
If the applicant is an SCV holder before 1 July 2022, you will be seen as a PR from that date.
On the other hand, if the applicant’s SCV was granted for the first time on or after 1 July 2022, you are considered a PR from the visa grant date.
New Zealand Citizens holding a New Zealand stream Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa
If applicants hold a SC 189 visa granted between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, they are eligible to apply for citizenship from 1 January 2023, as they are considered as PR from 1 January 2022.
If applicants were granted an SC 189 on or after 1 January 2023, they are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship from the visa grant date.
Applicants meet the residence requirement. This article breaks down how to calculate your residency requirement for citizenship.
The applicant must live in Australia and have a valid visa for a total of 4 years before applying. Applicant must not leave Australia for more than 12 months during the past 4 years, and
The applicant must also have held a permanent visa or SCV for the last 12 months before applying and must not have left Australia for more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
Applicants and their accompanying family members must meet health and character checks.
Applicant must also pass the citizenship test.
Related:
Are there any Special Considerations and Exemptions for Australian Citizenship?
Some individuals may be exempt from the residence requirement, including:
Applicants who are under 16 years old do not need to meet the general residence requirement, but they must hold a permanent visa.
Individuals who were born to former Australian citizens and lost their citizenship before 4 April 2002 may also be exempt.
Individuals who were born in Papua before 16 September 1975, and one of your parents was born in Australia and was an Australian citizen when you were born.
Individuals serving in the Australian Defence Force may be exempt if their service meets certain criteria. Speak with an immigration lawyer to discuss this further.
There are some circumstances in which the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) may not approve of the Australian citizenship application. These may include but are not limited to:
Not meeting character requirements.
If the applicant was a former Australian citizen in the past 12 months.
Related:
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help You?
The citizenship process can be straightforward, however, if you do not meet one of the requirements, it is best to book a time with an immigration lawyer for professional advice. At Agape Henry Crux, our team of immigration lawyers and registered migration agents (RMA) work with our Accredited Specialist(s) in Immigration Law to handle highly complex matters. You can book a Migration Planning Session with our team by calling 02-8310-5230 or emailing us to book a time at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.
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