Australian Citizenship Application...

[krisb]

Any members that have been through this process with their partner?

This is the final path if you like...and it's been quite a journey for most of us right? The partner visa alone was exhausting for me more than her!

What to expect for Aussie citizenship?

The planning process involved.

Did they have to stand and sing Advance Australia Fair?..or is it Fare??

Do they get asked 50 questions like who was the first P.M? Edmund Barton (I think)

How long and at what stage did you decide to apply?

So many questions come to mind, but so many more I'm sure.

Please feel free to tell us all how it went for you and more so, your partner!

[dbrenn]

I did it, and so did the wife - a much easier and pleasanter experience than getting our PR visas - me as a skilled migrant and her as my partner.

About 4 weeks after I applied online, I got my citizenship test appointment date. I went to my local DIAC office and showed them my documents (proof of address, UK passport), and also a signed form from an Aussie who knew of my personal circumstances - this can be hard for some, because it has to be a JP or someone in a published list of 'respectable' occupations.

The citizenship test was easy - just 20 questions and you can swat up on them using the online practice material from the DIAC website. The test results are shown immediately, and I passed. They were just general questions about Oz, its people, its system of government and its laws. No questions about sporting personalities anymore! The officer told me that my application would be approved 'later that day', and sure enough it was - you can track the status of your application online, using a transaction ID that is given to you when you first apply.

Around amonth later, I received a letter from the Immigration Minister, telling me that my application was approved, and that I would be invited to a citizenship ceremony, this being the final step in the appliccation process.

Around 6 months later, I got the invitation letter to my citizenship ceremony, which was on Australia Day of 2013. It was held at my local civic centre, and was presided over by the mayor of my city. It was a very nice occasion, with speakers on different aspects of Austalia and life there. The ceremony cultminated in a pledge of commitment to Australia, its people, its rights and privileges and its laws. The words of the pledge were repeated after the mayor, and there was a card given to each person to read it from.

After the pledge, we all took it in turns to receive our certificate of naturalisation from the mayor and have our photo taken.

It was a special day, and I will always remember it.

Edited November 17, 2014 by dbrenn

[David48]

Great Story.

Next time you are in Australia ... your turn to buy me a beer ...

(Just checking if you have learnt the Aussie Humour!)

[dbrenn]

Great Story.

Next time you are in Australia ... your turn to buy me a beer ...

(Just checking if you have learnt the Aussie Humour!)

I'll do that

With all the craft breweries, Aussie beer is getting better all the time, but the Poms still have the edge IMHO. I grew up drinking warm beer, which is spurned downunder.

I came back to Thailand to work here about a year ago, but I'm still missing Oz. Once you become a citizen of a country, you do feel more attached to it, and Australia is a very beautiful country.

Edited November 17, 2014 by dbrenn