An applicant can gain Australian citizenship in three ways:
- Citizenship through residency
- Citizenship by Birth
- Citizenship through Descent
Foreign nationals consider Australia a popular choice for citizenship. The country offers a better quality of life, numerous work opportunities, a growing economy, and good healthcare and educational facilities. Over 187,000 foreign nationals gained Australian citizenship in the financial year 2023-2024.
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General eligibility requirements to apply for Australian citizenship
Below are the general eligibility requirements to apply for Australian citizenship:
- Aged above 18 years
- Passed a citizenship test
- Be a permanent resident at the time of application
- Satisfy the residence requirement
- Reside in Australia
- Good character
- 12 months resided as a permanent resident in Australia
- Absences from Australia no more than 12 months
- Absent from Australia for no more than three months
Ways to gain Australian citizenship
There are three ways to gain Australian citizenship such as
Australian Citizenship through residency
Applicants who have been staying in Australia for four continuous years, including 1 year as a permanent resident, can gain citizenship in Australia. An applicant should have been absent for more than 12 months of residence as a permanent resident in Australia.
Visas that help an applicant to stay continuously in the country for four years
- Skilled migration: Skilled Migration has various visa categories, which are point-based visas that allow skilled professionals to work and reside in the country for four years
- Employer-sponsored visa: This visa is for skilled professionals who are sponsored by any Australian employee and invited to apply for the Australia work visa
- Business visa: These visas are for entrepreneurs willing to start a business in Australia that can give you permanent residency and Australian citizenship.
Australian Citizenship by Birth
Foreign nationals whose parents are Australian citizens or permanent residents can gain citizenship in Australia automatically. Applicants who are born after 20th August 1986 can confirm their citizenship in three ways:
- An Australian citizenship certificate
- Current Australian passport
- Full Australian birth certificate
Australian Citizenship by Descents
Applicants can be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent if they were born outside Australia and one of both parents was an Australian citizen.
Processing time for Australian citizenship
Citizen applications are usually processed between 19 and 25 months. Around 90% of the citizenship applications are processed within 12 months, and about 90% of approved applicants have the opportunity to attend a ceremony within 6 months of approval.
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